Kenyan authorities have apprehended the prime suspect in a Sh151 million ($1.1 million) tantalum minerals export scam that saw two containers filled with sand instead of the valuable minerals shipped to China.
The suspect, identified as Ulundu Patrick Lumumba, alias Gabriel Kulonda and Lumumba Patrick Byarufu, was arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Operations Support Unit moments after arriving in Nairobi from Entebbe, Uganda. Lumumba had attempted to re-enter Kenya using a Ugandan interstate pass card and a Congolese passport in an apparent bid to evade detection.
Investigations revealed that Lumumba had conspired with a female Chinese national to defraud her of Sh151 million ($1.1 million) by shipping containers filled with sand instead of the promised tantalum minerals. Two additional 20-foot containers containing sand had earlier been intercepted at the Mombasa port, while a third 40-foot container had managed to pass through the verification process undetected.
Authorities believe that the scam involved compromised port officials who facilitated the illegal transactions. While the bank account holding the Sh151 million has been frozen, the syndicate had already managed to siphon off Sh49 million ($360,000) with the help of suspected rogue bank officials.
As the investigation continues, a court battle is underway between the DCI and the influential members of the scamming ring, who are fighting to have the intercepted millions transferred to recently opened local bank accounts.
The prime suspect, Ulundu Patrick Lumumba, is set to be arraigned in court on Monday morning.