GOLD WORTH OVER TZS 1.2 BILLION SEIZED IN ANTI-SMUGGLING OPERATION




Minister Mavunde orders crackdown on the entire gold smuggling network

Expresses concern over revenue losses caused by illegal mineral trade

Directs that offenders have their mining licenses revoked and be permanently barred from the mineral trade

Urges citizens to conduct mineral transactions through official channels

Dar es Salaam

Gold weighing 4,402.20 grams and valued at TZS 1,238,458,594.42 has been seized while being smuggled, following intensified efforts by the Ministry of Minerals through a multi-agency Task Force to combat illegal mineral trade.

The announcement was made today, July 27, 2026, by the Minister for Minerals, Hon. Anthony Mavunde, during a press briefing in Dar es Salaam.

"The Government, through the Ministry of Minerals, established a Task Force comprising various security and law enforcement agencies to curb illegal mineral trade and smuggling. This seizure is part of the ongoing efforts by the Task Force to strengthen oversight and ensure compliance within the mineral trading sector," said Hon. Mavunde.

He noted that the seized gold, valued at more than TZS 1.2 billion, had not passed through the country's official mineral trading system, resulting in lost government revenue that could have been used to improve public services.

Hon. Mavunde further revealed that the confiscated gold has been forfeited to the Government in accordance with the law and is currently being safeguarded at the Bank of Tanzania.

The Minister also directed the Task Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, to thoroughly interrogate the suspect in order to establish the origin and intended destination of the gold, with the aim of dismantling the entire smuggling network.

He further instructed that if the suspect is found to hold a valid mineral trading license, it should be revoked immediately and the individual placed on a blacklist to permanently bar them from participating in the mineral trade.

In addition, Hon. Mavunde urged all citizens involved in the mineral sector to comply with the law and conduct all mineral transactions through officially recognized mineral markets and buying centers established across the country.

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