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Pakistani in forex scam, granted bail

A Pakistan national arrested at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre on Tuesday for being found in possession of foreign currency with no backing documents, was granted bail the same day.

Airport police arrested Muhammad Jawadi, owner of Pick and Shop in Limbe, as he was about to fly out to Dubai with $269 970 (about K140 million at the current exchange rate), officials say.

The crime scene: Chileka International Airport
The crime scene: Chileka International Airport

One of the lawyers at the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, who will help police in prosecuting the accused, confirmed the suspect was granted a police bail at the airport.

Jawadi, according to the charge sheet, has been charged with money laundering contrary to Section 35(1)(b) of the Money Laundering, Proceeds of Serious Crime and Terrorist Financing Act (Cap. 8:07 of the Laws of Malawi).

Particulars state that the accused on August 11 2015 at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre concealed in his hand luggage and was in possession of [suspected] proceeds of crime, namely, the sum of $269 970 which he knew or had reason to believe that it represented in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, proceeds of crime, namely, illegal dealing in foreign currency or foreign currency unlawfully obtained.

The State said he did not have permission of either the Ministry of Finance,Economic Planning and Development or RBM.

Nyirenda said the accused is likely to appear in court today .

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