Maputo, 13 Jul (AIM) – The “Stop Money Laundering” operation launched by Mozambique’s Central Office for the Fight against Organised and Transnational Crime (GCCCOT) says that its investigations to date show that 802.41 million US dollars was illicitly expatriated from the country between 2019 and 2023.
In late May, the GCCCOT put the sum illegally exported at 330.24 million dollars. Continued investigations since then have more than doubled the sums known to have left the country illegally.
The money was supposedly used to import a variety of merchandise – but in reality, according a GCCCOT release issued on Friday, these goods never arrived in Mozambique.
Initially, 40 Mozambican and foreign individuals and 15 companies were suspected of money laundering. The number of companies under investigation has now risen to 48, mostly located in the northern cities of Nampula and Nacala, and in Maputo.
Of the 40 suspects, six are in preventive detention, three have been granted provisional freedom on payment of bail, and the whereabouts of the other 31 are unknown. They are considered fugitives,
The charges they face include money laundering, tax fraud, abuse of fiscal trust, forging documents, the use of false documents, and criminal conspiracy.
As part of the same investigations, the GCCCOT has seized 54 buildings (including hotels, shops, company premises, residences, unfinished buildings and other properties belonging to the accused), and 13 vehicles.
In a separate case, 54.14 million meticais (about 845,000 dollars, at the current exchange rate) was seized from seven suspects. Four were released on bail, and three are still in preventive detention.
The GCCCOT says it is working with the Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic), and other relevant bodies, to collect evidence, arrest suspects, and seize their assets.
(AIM)
Pf/ (290)
