Zambian Authorities Seize Egyptian Plane Carrying Weapons and $5.7m

Authorities in Zambia officials announced on Tuesday the seizure of a private plane which arrived from Cairo carrying $5.7 million in cash, gold bars, pistols and 126 rounds of ammunition.

Director General of the Drug Enforcement Committee Nasun Banda said at a press conference in the capital Lusaka that authorities detained ten people, including six Egyptians. Also arrested are a Latvian, a Dutch, a Spaniard and a Zambian.

Banda told the press that the chartered aircraft carrying "dangerous goods," flew from Cairo, Egypt, and landed on Monday evening at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.

"Acting on this information, we together with officers from various law enforcement agencies conducted an operation which resulted in the seizure of $5.7 million, five pistols, seven magazines (for ammunition loading), 126 rounds of ammunition, 602 pieces of gold weighing 127.2 kilograms (280 pounds) and gold measuring equipment," Banda said.

The plane on which the items were found and another aircraft belonging to a local airline have been seized.

The money that was seized had been placed in the safe custody of the Bank of Zambia as the probe continued, Banda said.

Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe, on the other hand, at a press conference late Tuesday, said that the 602 pieces of suspected gold discovered from the seized private plane comprise other metals with gold coating.

The metals discovered in four boxes contained 58 to 61 per cent copper, 38 to 41 per cent zinc, and trace amounts of tin, osmium, and nickel, all of which were less than 0.8 per cent, he added.

"Ministry experts joined the DEC and spent nearly five hours screening the metals," Kabuswe said.

The minister said the experts comprised gemmologists, metallurgists, and geological survey officials "to ensure a thorough investigation", and the findings have been shared with the DEC, "the law enforcement agency in this case."

Lubinda Linyama, the attorney for the accused, said his clients were waiting to see the outcome of the inquiry before deciding on a legal challenge.

In recent times, both Egypt and Zambia have taken noteworthy steps to enhance their mutual relations. These actions include the signing of a memorandum of understanding in June of the present year, aimed at fortifying military collaboration and training efforts.

The annual volume of trade between the two countries stands at around $328.9 million.