THE Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) has investigated 219 money laundering related cases involving over K1 billion, over US$54 million and over €23,000 Euros.
According to a statement by DEC Public Relations officer, Mathias Kamanga, the Anti-Money Laundering Investigations Unit (AMLIU) in 2021 investigated 219 cases in which 56 persons were arrested countrywide compared to 120 persons that were arrested in 221 cases that were recorded in 2020 involving over K200 million, over US$3 million and over 25 million British Pound.
Furthermore, 92 cases were reported from January to July before the 2021 general elections, while 127 cases were reported after the general elections.
Mr Kamanga said the report on offences relating to money laundering, came from the public and private sectors where 116 cases (53%) involved various frauds, 51 cases (23%) were for theft/embezzlement, and 45 cases (21%) came from other types of predicate offences all amounting to € 25, 300. 00, K1, 209, 027,674.98 and USD 54, 255,154.00.
“The Commission concluded a total of 764 cumulative cases in 2021 which led to the arrest of 56 persons in 39 cases for money laundering related offences involving K37, 596,490.80 and US $400,445.00,” he said.
He further said, the Commission through its AMLIU seized a total of three (3) real estate properties (land and buildings), 32 motor vehicles, K353, 628, 314.88, US$28,739,621.55 and € 589,751.50 held in various bank accounts and cash amounts of US$ 1,327,425.00 and K2,195,084.90.
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