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Police have seized 29.9 kilogrammes of gold and US$200,000 in cash hidden within the door panels of a vehicle belonging to a Chinese national, Zhao Changson.
Inspector-General of Police, Graphel Musamba, announced that the seizure was the result of a joint operation conducted on August 13, 2024, by the Lusaka Division of the Zambia Police.
In a statement issued on Friday, Musamba said the police received a tip-off on August 12, 2024, regarding a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with a Zimbabwean license plate 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.
A thorough search of the vehicle was conducted on August 13 by a joint team of officers from Police Headquarters and the Lusaka Division.
“The search led to the discovery of 29.9 kilogrammes of gold and USD 200,000 in cash, concealed within the door panels of the vehicle.The suspects, when interviewed, denied any knowledge of the recovered items,” he said.
Musamba noted that the female passenger, Yanjing, claimed she had purchased the vehicle less than two weeks ago and was unaware of the hidden contraband.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects were Chinese nationals residing in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they are engaged in the business of selling fencing wire. They claimed they were in Zambia to visit an unnamed friend.
The recovered gold was tested and confirmed by experts from the Ministry of Mines, and the money was authenticated by officials from the Bank of Zambia.
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Musamba assured that the gold and cash had been securely stored as evidence while investigations continue.
Additionally, the joint operation, known as Operation Kutwa, conducted raids and snap checks in various compounds and along major roads, leading to the recovery of several items, including two Toyota Hilux vehicles reported stolen from South Africa, 51 bottles of codeine, and 68 sachets of cannabis.
Four trucks loaded with 280 bags of charcoal were also impounded by the Forestry Department.
Musamba commended all officers and partner agencies involved in the operation for their unwavering dedication and commitment to the rule of law.
“We assure the public that the Zambia Police Service remains steadfast in its mission to uphold the law and maintain peace and security across the nation,” Musamba said, urging citizens to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
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