Zambia-Egypt plane seizure: The cash and fake gold that no-one is claiming
A private plane found with more than $5m (£4m) in cash, fake gold, guns and ammunition on board is at the centre of a deepening investigation in the Zambian capital, Lusaka.
Everyone knows the aircraft flew from the Egyptian capital, Cairo, and landed a fortnight ago in Zambia, but that is where the certainties stop. So far nobody in Egypt or Zambia admits to chartering the plane or owning its contents.
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What is known so far is that five Egyptians aboard the aircraft and six Zambians appeared at a magistrate's court in Lusaka on Monday.
Both the Egyptians and Zambians have been charged with smuggling and corrupt practices. The Zambians also face espionage charges. Among the Zambians appearing in court was an official at State House, the official residence and office of the president. None were asked to enter a plea.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66614769
It all goes far deeper down a rabbit hole. Egyptian officials are probably involved, and an Egyptian journalist was arrested, then released, for writing about it. It may be a money-laundering/fake gold scam that goes far wider.