Angola Clamps Down On Illegal Diamond Trafficking
January 15, 04
The Angolan army has arrested about 700 people, including 334 foreigners, in an operation aimed at curbing illegal diamond trafficking in the central province of Bie, state radio said on Wednesday.
The report said that of the foreigners arrested, 234, mainly from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, have been deported.
During the operation, which started in December, troops seized sieves and other equipment.
The report said the operation was a result of cooperation between the presidency, the secret service, several ministries and Endiama, Angola's public diamond enterprise.
"After the operation, Endiama will go and take charge of security in these zones and will take charge of the expulsion of illegal diamond traffickers," Angolan state radio said.
The operation also aims to expose traffickers who are often "associates" or under the protection of officers in the Angolan army, the station said.
Out of an estimated 290,000 people suspected of illegal diamond trafficking throughout the country, 90,000 are believed to be foreigners, mostly from Senegal, Sierra Leone, the DRC and Mali, the station said.
The Angolan army in December announced a tough campaign against traffickers operating in diamond-bearing areas after nearly 27 years of civil war ended in April 2002.