Africa-Press – Angola. At least eight nationals aged between 23 and 60 were arrested by the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) in Lunda Norte for possession and illegal trafficking of 1,398 diamonds of various carats.
The information was disclosed Wednesday, in Dundo, by the SIC spokesperson, Graciano Lumanhe, adding that the arrest of the individuals and the seizure of the diamonds occurred during an ongoing micro-operation in the province, which aims to dismantle the mining centers of the strategic mineral.
He said that in addition to the diamonds, three calculators, the same number of magnifying glasses, a scale, two diamond collection shovels, among other means used for mining and assessing the quality of the mineral, were seized.
Lumanhe said the strategic minerals will be handed over in the coming days to the National Diamond Company of Angola (ENDIAMA E.P) as a faithful depositary, and the cases of those involved will be forwarded to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for further action.
According to the authorities, diamond mining and fuel smuggling have been the main causes of illegal immigration in Lunda Norte in recent years.This has forced defense and security agencies to step up surveillance and combat these phenomena in mining areas.
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