Six Arrested in Zimbabwe with Diamonds, Gold and Cash

Six people were arrested last week in Mutare, Zimbabwe’s fourth largest city, on suspicions of “illegal dealings.” Police recovered in the raid over 200 diamonds, 19.48 grams of gold and large sums of cash.

According to the Zimbabwean Herald, police spokesperson Superintendent Andrew Phiri said that two Mauritanians were allegedly found with 196 diamonds, 19.48 grams of gold, US$28,781 and R2,160.

They are being charged with contravening the Precious Stones Act and the Gold Trade Act, which respectively forbid unlicensed persons from dealing in or possessing rough diamonds or gold.

A further ZW$90 billion (approximately US$3 million) was allegedly recovered from a Congolese man, who is now being charged with contravening the Bank Use, Promotion and Suppression of Money Laundering for unlawfully holding cash, according to the spokesperson.

The three Zimbabweans arrested were allegedly found to be in possession of a total of 15 diamonds and ZW$51 billion (approximately US$1.7 million) in cash.

"We arrested these people after receiving information through our intelligence section. We posed as buyers and subsequently arrested them and recovered the pieces of gold and diamonds," Superintendent Phiri said.