India Police nab Kenyan woman with Sh30 million gold
Police in India, on October 1, 2023, nabbed a woman who had traveled from Kenya while reportedly smuggling gold worth Sh30 million which was hidden inside her innerwear.
The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) reported that the woman identified as Ms Sarah Mohamed Omar had travelled from Kenya on September 30, 2023, and was arrested upon arrival in Mumbai the following day.
The lady was making her way out of the airport when hawk-eyed officials stopped her.
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“On searching her, she was found with 17 pieces of 22-carat gold melted bars which were concealed in her innerwear,” a statement by AIU read in part.
A further search also saw the officers attached to AIU recover an additional 21-carat gold which was concealed in her body.
The Indian authorities say the lady is a Kenyan citizen who lives within Eastleigh in Nairobi County.
She is currently under two-week judicial custody before a decision is made on whether to charge her there or deport her back to Kenya.
“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 Kenya Airways flight number KQ202 on September 30,” Indian media reported over the incident.
She was presented in court where a customs official said if she is granted bail, she may flee and would not be available for further investigation, which is required to break the nexus involved in gold smuggling, additionally, she could influence and tamper the evidence.
Cases of drugs and other contraband being smuggled through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to India have been on the rise in the recent past.