Diamonds worth millions of dollars seized in CMB

3 May 2012 01:35 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Thousands of packets of diamonds, gold rings, bracelets and gold chains worth more than millions of dollars shipped to Colombo from Greece hidden inside electrical equipment by a Sri Lankan couple were seized by the Colombo Customs yesterday after they were informed by the Interpol through the CID.

The Sri Lankan couple involved in this massive robbery was also arrested in Colombo by the CID.

It was believed to be one of the largest stocks of diamonds to be detected in Sri Lanka.
“There were thousands of packets containing diamonds inside 41 baggages shipped by the Sri Lankan couple,” Customs Director Ranjan Kanakasabay said.

The couple had been working in Greece for many years and the husband had been working at a major jewellery store in Athens for several years.

The jewellery store owners had given the main suspect hundreds of boxes with jewellery and diamonds to be looked after as he was a senior employee of the store.

The robbery had come to light last month when the Sri Lankan couple had gone missing for about a week and the jewellery had disappeared. Thereafter, the management of the jewellery store had informed the Athens police about the robbery.

The CID was then informed through the Greece Interpol branch about the runaway couple. The couple had also shipped furniture, electronic equipment and many other items in a container inside which the jewellery and the diamonds had been hidden.

The CID had taken a court order asking the Customs to hand over the seized diamonds and jewellery as it has a direct Interpol connection to the investigations.

The detection was made by the Customs Prevention Unit under the direction of Customs Director Ranjan Kanakasabay.

Mr. Kanakasabay told Daily Mirror that the Customs used an American Enterscopy scanner for the first time to examine the baggage without removing the locks or cutting the bags. (Supun Dias)

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Comments - 11

Calistus Jayatilleke Thursday, 03 May 2012 02:55 AM

So, the "Diamonds are (not) Forever"

amarasiri Thursday, 03 May 2012 03:24 AM

Nothings forever! Good message.

Deva Thursday, 03 May 2012 04:06 AM

So.... Custom guys couldn't hide half and submit the balance to legal authorities ?

jayantha Thursday, 03 May 2012 07:57 AM

look at the customs officers greedy eyes, the most corrupted state officers.

KD Thursday, 03 May 2012 08:25 AM

so we used american Enterscopy scanner to detect them!! wonder what modawansa has to say about this

pathum Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:15 AM

dont think the sri lankan customs are like u ???

F J de soysa Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:10 AM

THEY HAVE BARROWED SOME TIES THIS TIME

Yehiya Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:24 AM

This is very bad. Hard earn remmitance.No vehicle permit to foreign labours. Govt. must think twice of hard earners money.

sharowana Thursday, 03 May 2012 09:34 AM

Are there any Custom officers who does not take Bribe? Can you name one?

Rom Thursday, 03 May 2012 10:02 AM

shouldn't this tech be already installed in all our border controls including the vip lounges of our ports???? and some one local gets the credit even then tipped off by Interpol'.

Barmen Thursday, 03 May 2012 10:53 AM

I do not think 100% will reach to the Greece authority.What happened the jewelleries confiscated from LTTE !

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Diamonds worth millions of dollars seized in CMB

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