Africa-Press – Angola. A 28-year-old citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) in the municipality of Cassanji-Calucala, Lunda-Norte province, in possession of 21 diamonds of various carats.
Speaking to the press, SIC-Lunda-Norte spokesperson Graciano Lumanhi said the individual, who was in the country illegally, was found in possession of the illegally acquired goods, which were destined for sale in Malanje and Luanda.
The SIC officer explained that the arrest, which took place on a public road, was the result of criminal intelligence work carried out by SIC staff in partnership with other agencies of the Ministry of the Interior.
Lumanhi said that this action forms part of ‘Operation Connection’, which aims to combat not only diamond mining and trafficking, but also illegal immigration, fuel smuggling, organ and human traffic and drug trafficking.
He also stated that these factors attract foreigners, especially from the DRC, who want to enter the country at all costs through clandestine routes.
The province of Lunda Norte shares a border with the DRC that is approximately 770 kilometres long, consisting of 600 kilometres of land and 170 kilometres of river.
