A Chinese national was intercepted in possession of eight gold bars weighing a total of 7.213 kg, which he allegedly attempted to illegally export to Dubai. He was placed in preventive detention at Tsiafahy. The seized bars will be handed over to the Central Bank of Madagascar.

The Chinese national was presented to the public prosecutor on Monday after being arrested at Ivato by gendarmes from the Antananarivo-Ville company. The man was intercepted on August 13 as he was about to board a flight to Dubai with eight gold bars lacking export authorization documents. Technical verification confirmed a total weight of 7.213 kg.

During the investigation, it emerged that these bars allegedly belong to a Chinese national residing in China. Documents found also bore the name of another foreign national, suggesting the involvement of multiple people. Information gathered during investigations also mentions possible complicity within public services, though no individual responsibility has been officially established at this stage.

The court ordered the defendant's placement in preventive detention at Tsiafahy prison pending trial. The bars are to be deposited at the Central Bank of Madagascar once administrative procedures are completed.

Market Value

Based on data available in August 2026, the gold price stood at around 4,645 dollars per ounce, or approximately 149.4 dollars per gram. On this basis, the market value of the 7.213 kg seized is estimated at nearly 1.08 million dollars.

This case comes in a context marked by several investigations into illegal gold exploitation and trading in Madagascar, in which foreign nationals have been implicated. An operation conducted in Mananjary on August 21 by Justice Minister Fanirisoa Ernaivo led to the arrest of Chinese nationals present at an exploitation site and the seizure of equipment used there. Authorities had indicated they found illegal exploitation practices. The minister recalled that the exploitation of national resources must benefit the population and not a restricted circle of interests.

Gustave Mparany