Africa-Press – Angola. An unspecified group of citizens engaged in the illegal exploitation of diamonds in Lúbia commune, Nharea municipality, Bié province, was dismantled last Wednesday by public order and security forces.
According to the spokesman for the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), Simão Lucas Londoca, the citizens concerned were dispersed through a micro-operation carried out by SIC staff, in coordination with the National Police.
Simão Lucas Londoca stated that the garimpeiros, who fled, abandoned 23 motor-pumps, two shovels, an equal number of pickaxes and hoses.
In the same operation, some huts were also destroyed, as well as the deactivation and destruction of 120 narcotic plants (liamba), which were supposedly sold in that area and other locations.
The SIC spokesperson stated that operations of the kind will continue, in order to discourage citizens who insist on the practice of illicit diamond exploration.
The province of Bié has been the scene of illegal diamond mining in recent years, an activity sponsored by foreigners of different nationalities.
In addition to the municipality of Nharea, this practice is also observed in some diamond-producing areas in the municipalities of Andulo, Chitembo, Cuemba and Camacupa.
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