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Illegal diamond, emerald trade channel shut in Bashkiria

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  • Illegal diamond, emerald trade channel shut in Bashkiria

    RIA Novosti, Russia
    Aug 5 2004

    ILLEGAL DIAMOND, EMERALD TRADE CHANNEL SHUT IN BASHKIRIA


    UFA, AUGUST 5 (RIA Novosti) - Operation of a criminal ring engaged
    for a long time in illegal gemstones trade has been ended in
    Bashkiria (federal republic in the southern Urals), the press service
    of the FSB directorate for Bashkiria informed on Thursday.

    According to the FSB, several residents of Sterlitamak arranged the
    channel of delivery of diamonds and emeralds from fields in Siberia
    and the Ural region.

    The FSB has carried out the operation "check purchase", placing its
    agent as a wholesale buyer.

    As a result, three persons have been detained, and natural diamonds
    and an emerald (total weight 35 grammes, or 150 carats) were seized.
    On fact of the illegal turnover the republican prosecutor's office
    has begun a criminal case.

    Investigation has found that, alongside illegal trade in gemstones in
    Bashkiria, the group arranged their transportation to the Krasnodar
    region to be smuggled out to Armenia for cutting.

    The criminals brought in gems themselves or through couriers. Their
    close relatives were engaged in this or that way, selling gems or
    securing the deals, the FSB press service said. The network
    functioned smoothly for three years.
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