US strikes gold in Iraq

American troops confiscated what they believe may be gold bars worth up to €417m after stopping a truck at a road block.

The truck carrying 2,000 bars was stopped at a military checkpoint near Qaim, a north-western city near Iraq’s border with Syria, said US Central Command.

The bars still must be tested to make sure they are gold, Central command said.

Two people were arrested but it was unclear who they were, their nationality, and where they got the bars.

“The occupants told the soldiers that they had been paid about €250 to pick up the truck in Baghdad and drive it to an unnamed individual in Al Qaim,” Central Command said. “The two had been told that the bars were bronze.”

Soldiers conducted a search of their Mercedes truck and discovered approximately 2,000, 40 pound, 10 inch long bars.