This Is the Media’s 'Swede' Detained in the Arab Gold Scandal in South America

Four people have been arrested in Paraguay in a large-scale gold smuggling ring between South America and the Middle East. Among those detained is an Iraqi who is a Swedish citizen – a background made clear in Paraguayan media, but who becomes simply a “Swedish man” in Swedish mainstream outlets, with his Iraqi background omitted.

The operation, named Operation Aurelia and conducted by Paraguayan authorities against an international network, is now receiving significant attention from the country’s media. The case involves suspected smuggling of gold bars from Brazil, through Paraguay and further to, among other places, Panama, before being shipped to Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.

The background involves two major seizures at the international airport in Luque. Last November, 22 kilos of gold were seized, and in April this year, another 27 kilos. Police state that the ensuing investigation has led to suspicions that Paraguay functioned as an international transit route for the smuggled gold.

On September 24, the investigation had progressed enough for police to launch raids in multiple locations in the capital Asunción and the Central region. Reports on the number of searches vary, but Paraguayan media mention between eight and ten simultaneous raids.

Seized gold in the case. Photo: Paraguayan police

During these searches, luxury cars, cash, precision scales, banknote counters, weapons, and documents deemed relevant to the investigation into the international gold smuggling operation were seized.

“We began to map the movements. International police cooperation and collaboration with the prosecutor’s office led us to conclude that much of the gold comes from the Amazon region in Brazil. Paraguay was used as a sort of route,” Luis López, head of the organized crime division, said to the media.

Seized items and vehicles in the investigation. Photo: Paraguayan police

Airport Shop Enabled Operation

Police also raided a duty-free shop at Silvio Pettirossi Airport, suspected of operating as a front for the smuggling activities. The woman in charge of the store was arrested during the operation.

According to the investigation, the shop had a strategic role since gold could be brought in and then out of the country without passing through normal controls.

Prosecutors also describe a jewelry and crafts store, Roahyhu, alleged to have been located in the restricted departure area of the airport. The smuggled gold was apparently stored there before being handed over to so-called couriers, who transported the gold in their luggage.

Suspected store at the airport. Facsimile Facebook

“The Swede” Is Iraqi

The people arrested in September are Walid Kadhim, 53, a Swedish citizen of Iraqi origin; Alí Kaied, 19, a Paraguayan citizen of Syrian origin; as well as Paraguayans Jessica Carolina Aguilera Riquelme, 36, and Karol Magalí Núñez Alarcón, 23. This is reported by several Paraguayan media.

All were preliminarily charged with smuggling and participating in a criminal network. Judge Rodrigo Enmanuel Estigarribia Benítez later ruled that the four should be detained pending further proceedings.

The court also denied requests from the defense for measures other than detention. The judge stressed the seriousness of the activities under investigation.

“The volume and nature of the material involved, the use of international commercial flights, the large number of people allegedly involved, the division of tasks, and the cross-border scale attributed to the operation collectively constitute concrete circumstances that warrant the preliminary assessment that a serious crime has occurred at this stage.”

Four detained. “The Swede” Walid Kadhim from Iraq, Syrian Alí Kaied, and Paraguayan accomplices Jessica Carolina Aguilera Riquelme and Karol Magalí Núñez Alarcón

More Arabs on the Wanted List

Prosecutor Juan Ramón Sandoval González has also charged three people who are still wanted as suspects in the same case. This concerns two more Arabs and one Latin American.

Laith Al Saiegh, 55, Brazilian citizen of Iraqi origin; Omar Kaied, 50, of Syrian origin and father of the arrested Alí Kaied; and Paraguayan César Alexis Elizeche Núñez, 40.

The prosecutor also identifies the so-called Swede, Walid Kadhim, as one of the central and leading figures in the extensive criminal operation, together with Laith Al Saiegh and Omar Kaied.

According to the prosecutor, the “Swede” is suspected of being responsible for the logistical and operational side. He is also said to have controlled the company used for the financial transactions related to the transports.

“Laith Al Saiegh, Omar Kaied, and Walid Kadhim are alleged to have cooperated to create the structure mentioned above, recruiting people with Paraguayan and Brazilian citizenship to handle the import and subsequent illegal transportation of alleged high-purity gold bars from the Republic of Paraguay, with stopovers in Panama and final destination in Dubai, via international commercial flights.”

The prosecutor’s office is also investigating information suggesting the network may have had links to terrorism financing. This is presented as a suspicion in the investigation, but is not confirmed as it is an ongoing case.