Custom officers arrested the foreigner with over seven kilograms of precious metal.
The illegal exploitation of Cameroon natural resources like gold is gaining weight in the country. Making the state to lose much financial and reduce the local population who are to beneficiaries to abject poverty.
Recently, in Garoua-Boulai of the East Region, a Chinese national with over 7 kilograms of gold fell into the drag net of the Cameroon customs officers.
The customs authorities revealed that the Chinese national had hidden the medal in his luggage coming from the Central Africa Republic (CAR).
The seven kilograms of gold were seized by the authorities in the eastern region bordering town.
Following the declaration of the customs, the undeclared gold is worth over 140 million CFAF. The illicit gold trafficker is under custody.
During investigation, the Chinese national pointed out that the 7 kilograms shipment of gold belongs to several of his compatriots living in CAR. His statement only confirms the fact that betwen Cameroon and CAR, gold and stone trafficking business exist.
Garoua – Boulai is the fertile ground for such activities at the moment. It is worth mentioning that, it is not the first time that gold trafficking has been halted in similar conditions in Garoua – Boulai. Since 2016, the custom and anti- trafficking officers at the Yaounde and Douala airports have vowed to put an end to such business.
The strong network of the illegal activity includes people habiting the Central Africa Republic and Cameroon.
By Takang Bisong