DR Congo 'gold smugglers' arrested in Goma

BBC News, 7 February 2011

Four foreigners - from the US, France and Nigeria - have been arrested on allegations of gold smuggling in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, officials say.

The gold trade fuels conflict in eastern DR Congo

"Millions of dollars" and 436kg of gold were seized, the local governor said.

DR Congo is rich in minerals, such as gold, tin and coltan used to make mobile phones, but many mines are controlled by armed groups.

Last year, the government banned mining in eastern regions.

Eastern DR Congo has been ravaged by conflict for at least 15 years, with both the army and rebel groups accused of using the fighting as cover to exploit the area's mineral wealth.

North Kivu governor Julie Paluku said the four accused, including two Nigerians, had flown to the regional capital, Goma, from Nigeria in order to buy gold.

The crew of three US citizens and one Nigerian were also arrested, he said.

Their US-registered plane has been impounded.

"This could be one of the networks which fuelled the war in the east," Mr Paluku told the AFP news agency.

"If a rebel leader is given money in exchange for gold, he will never leave the bush," he said.