Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
The details are tough to sort, but former NBA defensive star Dikembe Mutombo was allegedly involved in setting up a sizable gold deal in Kenya that ended up with a Congolese general seizing $10 million worth of the mineral and the New York-based purchaser spending $30 million to free hostages taken in central Africa.
The Houston Chronicle has the details; the story follows extensive reporting in early 2011 when the story broke as a Houston-based energy executive, Kase Lawal, owned a plane seized by Congolese militia. Lawal's brother was onboard the plane.
But not known until now was that it was Dikembe, his sons and two nephews who put the plan to allegedly smuggle $10 million in gold from Congo through Kenya to the United States. The deal eventually fell apart as Congolese government officials were tipped to the scheme.
I always knew Dikembe was a Bond villain masquerading as a basketball player.
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3 comments
Comments
I Want Da Gold
“I want da gold” –
Alabama residentsDikembe Mutombo. Linked at www.thepowerwire.comby ThePowerWire on Jan 16, 2012 12:03 PM EST reply actions
I don’t believe it, Dikembe always seemed like one of the good guys.
by fear and loathing with dock ellis on Jan 16, 2012 12:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Wow.
I’m not gonna say much until all the details come forward, simply because Mutombo was always considered one of the best humanitarians in sports. This would be devastating if it’s true.
Me and my squad build just like contractors
I break s***, you only give hairline fractures
by LatrellSprewell on Jan 16, 2012 4:04 PM EST reply actions
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