By 
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has filed an application before the Economic and Financial Crimes Division of the High Court, seeking a non-conviction-based forfeiture of over US$2.3 million, seven gold bars weighing 5.6 kilogrammes, and several high-value items allegedly linked to money laundering and unlawful exportation by two directors of Hope King Investment Limited.
The assets, believed to be proceeds of crime, were seized from Aamir Soeb Patel, who, together with Soeb Isa Patel, is under investigation for smuggling undeclared cash and gold through Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka.
According to a sworn affidavit in support of the originating notice, filed by Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) investigations officer, Yvonne Bwalya, the cash and gold were discovered on April 18, 2025, during a security operation at KKIA.
Aamir Patel, who had already checked in for an Emirates flight to Dubai, was found with US$2,320,000 and seven gold bars concealed in his luggage.
“When asked about the contents of the bags, he claimed they contained meat. A search revealed tightly packed bundles of US dollars and what appeared to be seven gold bars,” Bwalya stated.
Bwalya further disclosed that a Toyota Rush vehicle (registration number CAF 2140), used to transport the contraband to the airport, was also seized.
Forensic analysis of Patel’s mobile phones uncovered messages implicating Kirby Mutunka Jilanda of Emirates Airlines and Lennie Phiri of the Zambia Airports Corporation in facilitating the illegal operation.
“Digital evidence revealed that Jilanda had guided the suspect on check-in timings and had previously assisted in the export of large sums of cash and gold through Emirates flights,” she added.
Further investigations revealed suspicious transactions between June 2024 and March 2025, during which millions of dollars and several kilograms of gold were exported to Dubai-based firms allegedly connected to the same network.
Verification by the Bank of Zambia confirmed the seized US$2.3 million as genuine currency, while the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development certified the gold bars to have an average purity of 91.5 percent.
“There was no declaration of the cash or gold with the Zambia Revenue Authority, and the concealment of such items in luggage constitutes a serious offence under anti-money laundering laws,” the affidavit read.
DPP Gilbert Phiri is now seeking a court order for the permanent forfeiture of the seized assets to the State, arguing they constitute tainted property under the law.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments