Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo have arrested three Chinese nationals found in possession of 12 gold bars and $800,000 in cash in the eastern South Kivu province.
South Kivu Governor Jean Jacques Purusi disclosed that the money was concealed under the seats of the vehicle the suspects were travelling in. The arrests occurred following a thorough search of the vehicle in the Walungu area, near the Rwandan border.
The operation was kept secret, following the controversial release of 17 Chinese nationals last month.
The group had been accused of operating an illegal gold mine but was later freed and returned to China, a decision Governor Purusi criticised for undermining efforts to reform DR Congo’s troubled mineral sector.
The Chinese embassy has yet to comment on the latest arrests or the allegations.
