30 Female Travelers Intercepted with Gold Worth Sh30 million at JKIA

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) custom officials have seized 4.88 kilograms of undeclared gold and jewelry worth Sh30 million at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).

This comes after the officers intercepted a group of 30 female travelers suspected to be part of a gold smuggling syndicate.

KRA says 15 of the women were found carrying 4.88 kilograms of undeclared gold and jewelry following a body search conducted by a multi-agency team.

The women, who were en route to Mumbai, are linked to another group of three female travelers that was intercepted in India two months ago trying to smuggle approximately one kilogram of gold.

KRA says all travelers are required by law to declare all cargo and items at the ports of entry and exit.

“Customs officers stationed at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) last night intercepted approximately 4.88 kilograms of gold and jewelry that was being smuggled after identifying a group of approximately 30 female Kenyan travelers who were departing from Nairobi to Mumbai, India through Doha,” KRA said in a statement.

“The travelers are directly associated to three female travelers earlier intercepted entering Mumbai with approximate 1 kg of gold concealed internally on August 19, 2021.”

The taxman said 15 women who were on board the plane were asked to cancel the flight to pave way for further investigations.  The intercepted gold and jewelry have been deposited in the customs warehouse.