A cash amount of US$7 million was recently seized by Angolan authorities from two Gambians resident in that country at the 4th February Airport in the Angolan capital, Luanda.

This was disclosed to the Daily Observer Friday by Gambia’s honorary consul in Angola, Haggi Jawara. He explained that the money was confiscated from the two Gambians while they were trying to travel to Hong Kong on November 28 for business. He added that the two are currently under detention and are expected to be released next week after his own personal plea to the Angolan authorities.

Jawara further disclosed that another group of 54 people, including Gambians, were also arrested, but later released after several negotiations with the Angolan authorities. According to him, the travelling with huge amount of cash by the two Gambians contravenes the laws of Angola, which allows a person to travel with no more than US$15 000. “But my plea to the Angolan authorities has been successful. The 54 people who were arrested in connection with the cash are already released and I am expecting the two, who are both Gambians to be released next week,” Jawara further stated.

He said in a separate incident, some Gambians were also recently arrested by the Angolan authorities at the border between that country and the DRC, for entering into their country without valid documents. He said negotiations for their release is also on. In his usual advice to Gambians, particularly those who travel, Jawara, while maintaining that it is not a problem for one to travel, stressed that if they are going they must ensure that they are having valid documents. He also called on Gambians abroad to always be law-abiding in order to survive and attain their target goals wherever they travel to.