Indian national caught moving $2 million in cash out of Zambia

Lusaka: Zambian customs officials said on Saturday they had arrested an Indian national who had attempted to smuggle more than $2 million in cash and...

Lusaka: Zambian customs officials said on Saturday they had arrested an Indian national who had attempted to smuggle more than $2 million in cash and gold worth $500,000 through the country's main airport.

The 27-year-old was on his way to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates when his attempt was thwarted by a multi-agency team at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) said.

He was intercepted with $2,320,000 in cash and seven pieces of what they suspected to be gold valued at $500,000, the agency said in a statement.

Images shared by Zambian media showed stacks of $100 bills held together with rubber bands. The money was packed into a black bag, which was then placed inside a larger polypropylene suitcase.

"Investigations into the matter are ongoing," DEC said, warning "those involved in trans-national organised crimes that the long arm of the law will catch up with them soon".