Chinese couple found with unexplained $200,000, 29.9kg of gold granted K100,000 bail

Chief Resident Magistrate, Davies Chibwili, has granted K100,000 cash bail each to Zhao Yanjing and Zhao Changson, a Chinese couple accused of possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime, involving US$200,000 and 29.9 kilogrammes of gold.

As part of the bail conditions, the couple must each provide two working sureties or established businesspeople, who are to be bound in the sum of K50,000 each in their own recognisance.

The couple’s defence lawyer, Hudson Talanti, applied for bail, arguing that the offences were bailable and that his clients were not flight risks.

However, State prosecutor Mwala Museta opposed the application, stating that the couple resided in Zimbabwe and had no fixed abode in Zambia, posing a high risk of fleeing.

Magistrate Chibwili ruled that the couple’s foreign status and lack of fixed residence in Zambia were insufficient grounds for detention without evidence.

Exercising discretion under Section 123 of the Criminal Procedure Code, he granted bail.

The State plans to call seven witnesses, with the trial expected to conclude within five working days.

The case had been adjourned to September 9 for the plea and commencement of trial.

The accused face five charges, including money laundering and failure to declare currency.

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