Iraq: $20 million in cash, 5 kg of gold jewellery put in bottles at former minister's home
Representational image drawn by AI.
Iraq's former deputy oil minister's home was raided when $20 million in cash and 5 kg worth of gold jewellery were recovered which were hidden in water bottles.
Iraqi authorities have seized those cash and jewellery found from the home of former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan Al-Jumaili as part of a corruption investigation. On Monday, Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council stated that an investigating judge of the Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court has also ordered the seizure of an additional 25 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately 19 million dollars) and 1 million US dollars. The Council's statement added that approximately 5 kilograms of gold jewelry were also seized as part of the investigation against Al-Jumaili and other suspects linked to the case.
According to the investigating judge, the raid was conducted after a long inquiry to identify the sources of funds acquired through irregularities in various projects by the accused and his associates.
The Council reported that the seized cash was hidden inside plastic water bottles at Al-Jumaili's home in Tikrit.
Following the latest operation, the total amount of assets seized in this investigation has reached 127 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately 97 million dollars) and 24 million US dollars in cash. This also includes various immovable properties, vehicles, and the seized gold.
The Council stated that the investigation is still ongoing and that operations against other suspects will continue until all legal procedures are completed.
Last week, Iraqi authorities announced the arrest of dozens of suspects, including several members of parliament and government officials, in major financial and administrative corruption cases. Their legal immunity was also revoked.
These arrest operations were carried out based on information obtained in the investigation against Al-Jumaili. He was dismissed from the post of Deputy Oil Minister on June 2, 2026, on charges of wasting public funds and illegally awarding contracts for various projects.
