Harare based Chinese nationals nabbed in Zambia with 29.9 kgs of gold 200000 cash hidden in vehicle
Chinese nationals residing in Harare were intercepted in Lusaka by Zambian authorities, who seized 29.9 kilograms of gold and $200,000 in cash hidden within the door panels of their vehicle.
By Ryan Chigoche
This incident marks the latest case of gold smuggling in Zambia. The seized gold is valued at $2.3 million.
The vehicle, registered in Zimbabwe, belonged to Chinese national Zhao Changson. The Zimbabwean license plates suggest that the gold might have been smuggled from Zimbabwe, highlighting the prevalence of gold smuggling beyond its borders.
According to Zambia’s Inspector-General of Police, Graphel Musamba, in a statement issued on Friday, the police received a tip-off on August 12, 2024, about a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with Zimbabwean license plates suspected of transporting precious stones.
“Acting swiftly on this information, the police impounded the vehicle, which was driven by Zhao Changson, aged 58, accompanied by Zhao Yanjing, aged 46, both Chinese nationals,” Musamba said.
“The search led to the discovery of 29.9 kilograms of gold and $200,000 in cash, concealed within the door panels of the vehicle. The suspects, when interviewed, denied any knowledge of the recovered items,” he added.
In their defense, the female passenger, Yanjing, claimed she had purchased the vehicle less than two weeks ago and was unaware of the hidden gold and cash.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were Chinese nationals residing in Harare, Zimbabwe, and were apparently involved in selling fencing wire. They claimed they were in Zambia to visit a friend, whom they refused to name.
The gold and cash have been securely stored as evidence while investigations continue.
Zimbabwe loses about $1.5 billion annually to the smuggling of precious metals, according to the International Crisis Group.
Gold smuggling in Zimbabwe is exacerbated by delayed payments from Fidelity Printers and Refineries, the sole buyer of gold in Zimbabwe, which discourages miners from selling through official channels.
These payment delays push many miners toward the black market, where there are more lucrative prices than those offered by FPR. Corruption within government and law enforcement also plays a role, as officials may accept bribes to overlook or shield smuggling operations. Smugglers exploit Zimbabwe’s borders with neighboring countries like South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia to evade detection and customs duties, further entrenching the illegal gold trade.