Kazakhstan Detains 13 in "Golden" Special Operation Targeting Illegal Gold Mining

A special operation by Kazakhstan's Financial Monitoring Agency (FMA) and the National Security Committee (NSC) has led to the detention of 13 people in the Kyzylorda region for alleged illegal gold mining.

The suspects are accused of extracting native gold, which requires no complex industrial processing, in the Zhamankol area of Shieli District. Investigators detailed a structured operation where group members were assigned specific roles, including recruiting prospectors, organizing mining, transporting and selling the gold, and providing security.

To prevent detection, the group reportedly stationed lookouts and used motorcyclists to patrol the area, warning of any approaching outsiders or government officials. The extracted gold was then transported to Almaty for sale, with proceeds distributed among the members.

During searches, authorities seized over 500 grams of gold-bearing raw material, specialized equipment, 12 metal detectors, and six vehicles. Additionally, two air pistols and a smoothbore firearm were found. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are not being disclosed under Kazakhstan's Criminal Procedure Code.

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To conceal the illegal activity, lookouts were stationed around the perimeter, while motorcyclists patrolled the surrounding area, warning of the arrival of outsiders and government officials.