The gold that nearly left Madagascar on Sunday, September 13, weighed significantly more than the nearly 6 kg initially reported. According to Minister of Justice Fanirisoa Ernaivo, an investigation is underway to determine the exact quantity of the precious metal seized at Ivato International Airport.
“About 6 kg were found in the suitcase, but information suggests the quantity exceeds 6 kg,” she told the press on the sidelines of the opening of the National Assembly’s extraordinary session on Thursday. According to her, additional investigations are being conducted to precisely establish the weight of the gold involved.
According to the report from the Agency for the Recovery of Illicit Assets (Arai), which carried out the seizure, 5.678 kg of gold bars were recorded and subsequently deposited at the Central Bank of Madagascar. Rado Rajohnson, Director General of Arai, specified that the precious metal was weighed following a verification procedure and before being deposited at the Central Bank.
Eight people have already been placed in pre-trial detention in connection with this case. Jessé Ramorasata, acting prosecutor at the Anti-Corruption Pole, stated that the detainees include five customs officers, two airport security agents, and the woman suspected of carrying the gold bars in her suitcase.
According to the Minister of Justice, the gold allegedly belongs to a company based in Dubai, and a phone number with a United Arab Emirates country code was found on the suspect’s phone.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-19 08:09:00 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/trafic-une-enquete-en-cours-sur-le-poids-exact-de-lor-objet-dune-tentative-dexportation-le-13-septembre-selon-la-ministre-de-la-justice/