A 27-year-old Indian man’s journey to Dubai took an unexpected turn when authorities at Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport intercepted him with Rs 19.32 crore in cash (around $2.32 million) and gold worth Rs 4.15 crore (about $500,000) concealed in his luggage.
The Zambian Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) stated that the suspect had meticulously packed crisp $100 bills, secured with rubber bands, and discreetly hidden them within his suitcase. Alongside the massive cash haul, investigators discovered seven gold pieces, adding to the gravity of the case.
Officials are treating the arrest as part of a broader effort to curb transnational organised crime. “Investigations are ongoing, and those involved will face the full force of the law,” the DEC declared in a statement.
Zambia, despite being mineral-rich, grapples with high poverty rates, making incidents like these headline-worthy. The country has seen similar cases before, including a high-profile 2023 seizure involving 127 kilograms of gold and $5.7 million in cash, linked to Egyptian nationals.
As the investigation unfolds, the arrested Indian traveller faces an uncertain future, with potential legal consequences awaiting him in Lusaka.
