Zambian police arrest Chinese nationals smuggling 29kg of gold and $200,000 cash

Police in Lusaka, Zambia, have reportedly seized 29 kilograms of gold and $200,000 in cash from two Chinese nationals who smuggled the contraband through the Chirundu border post in an operation codenamed ‘Operation Kutwa’.

According to the latest media reports, two Chinese nationals have been arrested for illegal possession of gold bars and cash. The duo, identified as Zhao Yanjing and Zhao Changson, are believed to have crossed the border from Zimbabwe into Zambia through the porous border post.

The suspects are expected to appear in court on Monday.

According to independent newspaper NewsDiggers, Police Inspector General Graphel Musamba said the contraband was hidden in the door panels of a vehicle driven by the Chinese nationals.

“The Zambia Police Service is pleased to announce the successful conclusion of Operation Kutwa, a coordinated effort that took place simultaneously across all member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation Organisation (SARPCCO) from 14 to 16 August 2024,” the police chief said.

Operation Kutwa was a joint effort to combat transnational organised crime in the region.