DCI probes customs officers over plot to illegally ship 50kg of gold to Dubai

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have launched a probe into three customs officers suspected of involvement in an ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001516093/officer-alleges-death-threats-in-sh32b-gold-scam-case">illegal attempt to smuggle< 50 kilograms of gold bars to Dubai without the knowledge or consent of the rightful owner.

According to a police source close to the ongoing investigations, the 50kg consignment was part of a larger 400kg batch of ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/health/amp/features/article/2001503542/gold-scam-suspect-fails-to-reclaim-luxury-cars-seized-by-the-state">gold bars believed to have been smuggled< into Kenya from Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The gold was reportedly being kept at a bonded warehouse near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), awaiting processing and clearance commonly referred to in smuggling circles as “sanitization” before being officially shipped to Dubai.

The clandestine operation is said to have begun in January 2025.

Investigations reveal that a group linked to the syndicate attempted to divert 50kg of the gold through unofficial channels, bypassing legal procedures and allegedly without the knowledge of the gold's rightful owner, identified only as Mr. Thomas.

The police source further disclosed that the 50kg consignment was scheduled to be secretly transported out of the country on the morning of Friday, April 25, but the plan was uncovered and halted before it could proceed.

The attempted shipment triggered immediate intervention where the three customs officers were arrested and the DCI officers immediately launched investigations into the matter.

Sources indicate that bribes were paid to facilitate the release of the gold from the bonded warehouse through unofficial means, as the rest of the 400kg awaited formal clearance.

The gold was allegedly being handled on behalf of a Dubai-based company owned by Indian nationals, who had financed the entire operation to “sanitize” the smuggled gold.

However, the plan unraveled when a whistleblower from within the syndicate leaked details of the illicit dealings to authorities.

The three customs officers, now under investigation are suspected of having received money to enable the illegal extraction and shipment of the 50kg consignment.