Intelligence sources suggest that Abdullah’s primary local contact in this operation is a man named Amir Said. The syndicate has reportedly smuggled over one tonne of gold through this intricate network, and it is alleged that Abdullah has also established ties with the Mai-Mai rebel group in South Kivu. These rebels are said to exchange gold for military equipment and financial backing, further complicating the situation.
However, this complex network suffered a significant setback on Friday, November 29, 2024, when two key members of the Mai-Mai rebel group, identified only as Chairman and Ricardo, were arrested near the Namanga border while attempting to smuggle 65 kilograms of gold from the DRC into Kenya
By Collins Wanzallah
Kenyan authorities are on high alert following the arrival in the country of a wealthy and influential figure with extensive connections across Middle Eastern embassies in Kenya. His reported involvement in the arrival of a significant gold consignment from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has sparked concern among Kenyan officials, who are now monitoring the situation closely.
Dr. Alanizi Abdullah, a Saudi national based in Dubai, is no ordinary citizen. He is known for operating a sophisticated gold smuggling syndicate that channels smuggled gold from Africa into Asian markets. His influence extends to key embassies in Kenya, which he allegedly uses as conduits for his illegal operations. Gold smuggling has been a long-standing issue in Kenya, with syndicates employing corrupt officials to facilitate the transportation of gold from source countries to international markets. These operations are often driven by motives such as tax evasion, money laundering, and financing illicit activities.
Abdullah has reportedly perfected a complex smuggling method, leveraging corrupt local clearing agents to move gold from South Kivu in the DRC into Kenya. Once the gold arrives in Kenya, the shipments are funnelled through an Embassy and other select Middle Eastern diplomatic missions. The gold is then exported under the guise of confidential diplomatic cargo, effectively evading taxation and standard customs procedures.
Intelligence sources suggest that Abdullah’s primary local contact in this operation is a man named Amir Said. The syndicate has reportedly smuggled over one tonne of gold through this intricate network, and it is alleged that Abdullah has also established ties with the Mai-Mai rebel group in South Kivu. These rebels are said to exchange gold for military equipment and financial backing, further complicating the situation.
However, this complex network suffered a significant setback on Friday, November 29, 2024, when two key members of the Mai-Mai rebel group, identified only as Chairman and Ricardo, were arrested near the Namanga border while attempting to smuggle 65 kilograms of gold from the DRC into Kenya.
The gold smuggling method used by Abdullah exploits diplomatic immunity, creating a route for these illegal shipments that is nearly undetectable by standard customs and law enforcement procedures. The involvement of embassies, with their diplomatic protections, makes it even more difficult for authorities to interdict these shipments.
Kenyan authorities are now investigating the syndicate’s operations, but the international scope and the involvement of diplomatic channels present significant challenges to prosecution. With gold smuggling remaining a persistent issue in the region, authorities face an uphill battle in dismantling this highly sophisticated and far-reaching network.
