Detectives have arrested a man who they claim is behind a series of smuggling of gold to foreign countries.
The man was detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night after being linked to an incident where eight Kenyan women were detained at Mumbai International Airport on suspicion of smuggling 3.6 kilos of gold worth Sh26.4 million.
The women were detained on February 23, 2024, by the police and customs officials at Mumbai International Airport prompting an investigation.
The women were accused of smuggling eight kilos of gold and five iPhones from a foreign country.
Officials said the Nairobi resident was apprehended by the Customs Department's Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) near the exit gate of the Customs arrival baggage hall after crossing the green channel and heading towards the main exit.
"She was holding a passport issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which was valid till 2032. She came from Nairobi to Mumbai on September 30,” a customs officer was quoted by the Hindustan Times.
This prompted an investigation after Kenyan authorities were informed of the arrests, police said.
On Monday night, officers from the Transnational Organised Crime Unit arrested a man said to be an accomplice of the women.
This was after investigators, acting on a tip-off, also linked the man to a consignment that was scheduled to leave the country on Monday night through JKIA.
According to the investigators, the suspect had been linked to a consignment of three boxes that was being shipped to a South African country.
Documents in the hands of investigators show that the consignment had been prepared and ready to leave the country when the suspect was arrested.
Police said they are looking for more suspects in the issue adding that some have been reportedly found to be fake gold dealers.
Cases of smuggling of gold through Kenya are common. Some of the small consignments are at times seized at foreign airports.
Kenyan officials have been making efforts to contain the trend.
Officials say there is a high trend of international investors being conned of money over false gold.
This has prompted operations that led to the arrests of dozens of fake gold dealers in the country.
The suspects are facing charges in various courts in the country.
As part of efforts to address the menace, authorities have been encouraging foreigners to always seek advice from their embassies in Kenya and the Ministry of Mining before they make any payments.
Director, Directorate of Criminal Investigations Mohamed Amin said they are determined to address the issue.
