The Libyan Internal Security Service successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle 100 kilograms of gold and 1.5 million euros through Misrata International Airport.
According to a Facebook post by the agency, the operation occurred during routine baggage inspections of passengers bound for Turkey on Sama Al-Mutawassit Airline.
The Libyan security personnel found the gold, weighing a total of 100.8 kilograms, and the cash distributed across four suitcases.
The individuals responsible for these bags were detained, and the public prosecutor authorized judicial officers to commence investigations into the incident.
This interception comes in the wake of a May 13, 2024, order that placed the General Director of Customs and other customs officials at Misrata International Airport under arrest for allegedly conspiring to smuggle approximately 26,000 kilograms of gold bars, in violation of regulatory legislation.
Libya took the third spot in Africa with an impressive 117 metric tons of gold in the year 2023, according to the business website “Business Insider Africa”.
The report indicates Algeria holds the number one position among African countries, boasting a gold reserve amounting to 174 metric tons, closely followed by South Africa with a reserve tallying up to 125 metric tons.
The report also suggests that African countries have taken significant measures to bolster their gold reserves. This has positioned them favorably amidst global economic fluctuation, political instability, and ongoing inflation concerns, enhancing gold’s appeal as a safe asset for countries worldwide.
Previously, in 2022, Libya ranked fourth globally in gold reserves with a total of 116 metric tons, as per the report by the World Gold Council.
