Minister, envoy drawn in Sh3.2b gold case

Jean Emmanuel Morlon aka Larmaca Benjamin aka Jon Imanol Sapieha Candela aka El Sapo.[Courtesy] A high-profile scandal involving 550 kilograms of gold valued at Sh3.2 billion has ensnared a Kenyan Cabinet Secretary and an envoy, drawing them into a complex legal battle. The case centres on Jean Emmanuel Morlon-also known by aliases such as Larmaca Benjamin, Jon Imanol Sapieha Candela, and El Sapo-who faces 13 criminal charges, including illegal firearm possession, forgery, and obtaining money by pretences through his company, Afrex Bridge Connections Limited. The complainant, Swiss national Didier Guillaume Gentil, has implicated the two officials in this multimillion-shilling saga, which unfolded between January and February 2025. Morlon's troubles began when he allegedly swindled Gentil out of $120,000 (Sh16 million) between January 20 and 21, 2025. Gentil claims the funds were intended to charter a private jet to transport the gold from Nairobi to Dubai. However, the deal unravelled, leading to Morlon's arrest on February 2 at a residence in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Police reportedly found him in possession of two Glock pistols without a firearm certificate, along with a magazine, a loader, and 97 rounds of ammunition. A subsequent search of his Riverside Drive home uncovered three additional rounds of ammunition and 14 smoke grenades, further compounding the charges against him. The state also accuses Morlon of forging a mineral dealer's processing certificate under the name Rhino John Prime Metal International Limited. He allegedly falsified the signatures of the Mining Cabinet Secretary and the Director of Mining, claiming the document was sealed by the High Court. Morlon pleaded not guilty to all charges and applied for bail, but the state, represented by lawyer Allen Mulama, fiercely opposed his release, branding him a flight risk with a propensity for violence. According to the prosecution, Morlon's alleged criminal behaviour extended beyond fraud. Gentil, the complainant, claims he was poisoned in Switzerland on March 9, 2025, during a meeting related to the gold deal. He has since been hospitalized and alleges Morlon sent him death threats via WhatsApp, including a chilling photo of himself wielding two pistols with additional firearms visible in the background. Shortly after, Morlon reportedly escalated his intimidation by sending Gentil a photo of his wife and child, accompanied by warnings of severe repercussions. Investigating officer Sergeant Thomas Othoo told the court that several witnesses fear testifying against Morlon, citing his menacing tactics aimed at silencing Gentil and protecting his interests. Gentil, an events businessman, detailed his descent into this perilous venture in a statement recorded with Swiss police. His involvement began two years ago when he met Vasile Florent, a Monaco-based intermediary who introduced him to gold traders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Florent, claiming extensive experience in African gold markets, connected Gentil with a seller offering 550 kilograms of gold. The plan was for Gentil to finance the gold's transport from Congo to Kenya, then onward to Dubai. In Nairobi, alongside Florent, Gentil met the sellers and agreed to a price of $51,000 (Sh6.5 million) per kilogram. The Dubai buyer-an international precious metals group-accepted the purchase at the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) rate minus a 6.5% discount. To fund the operation, Gentil borrowed $800,000 (Sh103 million) from Swiss friends, transferring the money to his Kenyan bank account and a local lawyer's account for logistics and transport costs. He travelled to Dubai to finalize arrangements with the buyer before returning to Nairobi on January 9, 2025, to handle export paperwork. Florent remained in Kenya for nine months, overseeing the gold's melting process and preparing it for shipment via private jet, with both seller and buyer present. Gentil's statement reveals the involvement of Kenyan officials. On January 16, he allegedly met the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, who directed him to Morlon, describing him as a jet owner specializing in gold transportation. An envoy reportedly facilitated the introduction at the Ministry offices. Gentil then met Morlon-initially identifying himself only as "Larmaca"-at his Wilson Airport offices, where they settled on a $120,000 (Sh16 million) fee for the charter. The trio-Morlon, Gentil, and the buyer-planned to depart for Dubai on January 21, leaving Florent behind as a guarantee. However, the plan hit a snag at Wilson Airport's transit area. Customs officials halted the gold's release due to an insurance issue, which was resolved with an extension letter dated January 23. Morlon then demanded an additional $20,000 (Sh2.5 million), raising the total to $140,000 (Sh18 million). Gentil baulked, noting they had neither boarded nor seen the plane. He alleges Morlon responded with threats in French, boasting, "Here, I'm untouchable. If you try to make trouble for me, things will go badly for your safety," and claiming the initial $120,000 was lost. After tensions eased, Morlon admitted he hadn't booked the plane but offered to secure one for January 27, with the balance payable after the Dubai sale. Gentil declined, citing emerging details of Morlon's criminal history. Gentil believes Morlon intended to double-cross them, possibly planning to kill them aboard the plane had the insurance delay not intervened. He claims the gold was later moved by road to Dar es Salaam Airport in Tanzania, escorted by the seller and the envoy. When Gentil pressed Morlon for updates, he received a video featuring Morlon with rhinoceroses, promising a plane for January 27. Sceptical, Gentil and his team ignored the offer. On January 28, Morlon demanded an extra $100,000 (Sh13 million) for "moral damages," admitting no plane was available. Frustrated and fearing for their safety, Gentil and the seller filed a fraud and threats complaint with the Kenya Airport Police Unit (KAPU) on January 29. Accompanied by police, Gentil visited Morlon's offices, only to find two employees who confirmed his true identity. After filing the report, Gentil alleges Morlon retaliated with a barrage of threats. These included a photo of Morlon brandishing pistols, demanding $3,000 (Sh388,000) in damages for the police complaint, and a video threatening to send men to Lausanne, Switzerland, to "rape [Gentil's] wife and daughter and sell them on the internet. On February 1, Morlon allegedly contacted Gentil's wife directly, threatening to burn their home or attack them with acid unless Gentil withdrew the case. She filed her complaint with Swiss police, noting Morlon's anger over the detention of three of his employees. The case has cast a spotlight on the Cabinet Secretary and envoy, whose roles in connecting Gentil to Morlon raise questions about oversight and accountability in Kenya's gold trade. As Morlon awaits trial, the state argues his arsenal and intimidation tactics make him a danger too great to release on bail. For Gentil, what began as a lucrative opportunity has spiralled into a nightmare of betrayal, violence, and international intrigue, with Sh3.2 billion in gold at its heart.

Minister, envoy drawn in Sh3.2b gold case

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Minister, envoy drawn in Sh3.2b gold case

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