A Chinese national was arrested in possession of eight gold bars weighing a total of 7.213 kg, which he allegedly attempted to export illegally to Dubai. He has been placed in pre-trial detention at Tsiafahy prison.
The suspect was brought before the public prosecutor on Monday after being apprehended at Ivato airport by the Antananarivo-City gendarmerie company. He was intercepted on August 13 while preparing to board a flight to Dubai with the gold bars, which lacked the necessary export authorization documents. Technical verification confirmed the total weight of 7.213 kg.
During the investigation, it emerged that the gold bars allegedly belonged to a Chinese national residing in China. Documents found also bore the name of another foreign national, suggesting the involvement of multiple individuals. Information gathered during the investigation also points to possible complicity within public services, although no individual responsibility has been officially established at this stage.
The court ordered the defendant to be held in pre-trial detention at Tsiafahy prison pending trial. The seized gold bars are to be deposited with the Central Bank of Madagascar once administrative formalities are completed.
Market Value
Based on data available in August 2026, the price of gold is estimated at around $4,645 per ounce, or approximately $149.4 per gram. On this basis, the market value of the 7.213 kg seized is estimated at nearly $1.08 million.
This case occurs in a context marked by several investigations into clandestine gold mining and trade in Madagascar, in which foreign nationals have been implicated. An operation led in Mananjary on August 21 by the Minister of Justice, Fanirisoa Ernaivo, notably led to the arrest of Chinese nationals present at a mining site and the seizure of machinery used on-site. Authorities indicated that they had observed clandestine mining practices. The Minister reiterated that the exploitation of national resources should benefit the population and not a restricted circle of interests.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-26 05:54:07 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/08/trafic-dor-les-gendarmes-arretent-un.html