Officers of the Agency for Financial Monitoring (AFM) have shut down a channel for the illegal export of 2,600 tonnes of gold-bearing ore worth KZT 1.5 billion. When processing the export, the raw material was declared in customs documents as copper ore and concentrates.
HOW THE GOLD-BEARING ORE WAS EXPORTED
According to the AFM, the agency's department for the Zhetisu region uncovered a scheme for the illegal export of gold-bearing raw material.
The participants in the scheme used customs documents in which the cargo was designated as "copper ore and concentrates". In this way, according to the investigation, they concealed the actual composition of the raw material being exported.
WHERE MORE THAN A THOUSAND TONNES OF ORE WERE FOUND
Investigative and operational measures continued at warehouse facilities in the East Kazakhstan and Almaty regions.
AFM officers found there more than 1,000 tonnes of raw material, packaged in large-capacity containers.
WHO IS INVOLVED IN THE CASE
The investigation established the involvement of the director of the exporting company RedGold Mining LLP, as well as other persons who allegedly took part in organising the illegal scheme.
Two suspects have been remanded in custody. The court also authorised the seizure of the company's funds.
The exact number of persons involved, the destination countries of the cargo and other circumstances of the illegal export are not specified in the statement.
The AFM reported that the remaining information is not subject to disclosure in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("Inadmissibility of disclosure of pre-trial investigation data").
