An illegal gold processing plant was shut down in the Akmola region. Operatives seized a gold bar weighing nearly half a kilogram, four tons of ore, and six kilograms of mercury from the facility. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
Employees of the Financial Monitoring Agency (AFM), supported by the Akmola region prosecutor's office, arrested a group of individuals involved in illegal extraction of precious metals in the Shortandy district.
"Equipment for crushing and smelting ore, a gold bar weighing 446 grams, 4 tons of gold-containing material, 6 kg of mercury, as well as cash in the amount of over 2 million tenge and $8,000 were seized," the agency reported.
Also during the searches, firearms and ammunition were found.
Currently, all persons involved in the illegal activity are being identified, and the volume of illegally extracted precious metals is being calculated.
The organizer has been taken into custody, and the investigation continues.
"Other information, in accordance with Article 201 of the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, is not subject to disclosure," the AFM concluded.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that an illegal drug production plant was shut down in Almaty.