Nine foreign nationals and one Zambian citizen have been arrested at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport after being found in possession a sum exceeding U$D5 million in cash, alongside an extensive collection of over 600 gold pieces.

The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) Director General Mr Nason Banda has confirmed of the development saying the incident happened on Monday.

“The Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) of Zambia received information that a chartered aircraft carrying dangerous goods had landed at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on 13th August 2023 at 19:00 hours.

“Acting on this information the DEC together with officers from various Law Enforcement Agencies conducted an operation on Monday, 14th August 2023 at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport,” reads part of the statement.

He said the search led to the seizure of USD 5, 697,700, Five (05) pistols, Seven (07) magazines, 126 rounds ammunition, 602 pieces of suspected Gold weighing 127.2 kg and Equipment used for measuring Gold.

According to Banda, the Commission has since seized the Global Express T7-WW on which the above items were found and another aircraft belonging to a local airline whose make is King Air B190.

The 10 suspects will appear in court once investigations on the matter are conclude.