Africa-Press – Angola. One hundred and seventy-six diamond stones of various carats were seized over the long weekend, by the defense and security forces, in the province of Lunda Norte, for possession and illicit trafficking.
The information was provided this Tuesday, in Dundo, by the National Police spokesperson, Alexandre Gualter Pereira, highlighting that the seizure of the diamonds occurred during a micro operation aimed at combating trafficking and illicit exploitation of the strategic mineral.
He made it known that the defense and security bodies in Lunda Norte have been developing joint actions since the second half of this year that aim to combat mining outbreaks in the district, trafficking of minors, fuel smuggling and illegal immigration.
He said that during the operation last weekend, it was also possible to seize an AKM-type fire branch, an electricity transport cable and 279 thousand kwanzas, in the possession of illegal diamond explorers.
He said that the defense bodies also seized 5,475 liters of fuel, 4,825 of which were diesel and 650 liters of gasoline, which were destined for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), due to smuggling.
He informed that the seized diamonds, valuables and fuel were handed over to the Opera Transference Listing Committee and the General Tax Administration, as faithful custodians.
As part of the same operation, he continued, the illegal entry of 737 foreign citizens from the DRC, who intended to settle in diamond exploration areas, was prevented.
He highlighted that the immigrants were accompanied by 122 children and were trying to violate the border posts of Cuango, Caungula, Lóvua, Chitato and Cambulo.
On that occasion, the official appealed to the population to report cases of aid to illegal immigration and diamond mining outbreaks, with a view to combating them.
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