Authorities in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have arrested three Chinese nationals found in possession of 12 gold bars and $800,000 (£650,000) in cash. According to South Kivu Governor Jean Jacques Purusi, the gold and cash were concealed under the seats of the vehicle the suspects were traveling in.
The arrests were the result of a covert operation, carried out discreetly to avoid interference following the recent release of another group of Chinese nationals accused of running an illegal gold mine in the same region.
Eastern DR Congo is rich in minerals such as gold, diamonds, and resources vital for mobile phone and electric vehicle batteries. However, this wealth has long been exploited by foreign groups, contributing to decades of instability. Militia groups control many of the region’s mines, amassing wealth by selling resources to middlemen.
Governor Purusi revealed that some of these dealers maintain strong connections with influential figures in the capital, Kinshasa. This influence necessitated secrecy in planning the arrests. Acting on a tip-off, authorities conducted a thorough search of the suspects’ vehicle in the Walungu area, near the Rwandan border, where the gold and cash were discovered.
While the exact quantity of gold seized remains undisclosed, the operation underscores ongoing efforts to curb illegal mining and the smuggling of precious resources in the region.