Lunda-Norte: The Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) in Lunda-Norte has successfully seized 438 diamond stones in the municipality of Xá-muteba. The diamonds, of varying carats, were confiscated on Wednesday from a 29-year-old Angolan citizen, who was reportedly involved in illegal trafficking.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the SIC spokesman, Graciano Lumanhe, detailed that the seizure occurred on a public road at the bridge over the Lui River, which marks the border between the provinces of Lunda-Norte and Malanje. The alleged trafficker was en route to Malanje, with intentions to eventually reach Luanda, the nation’s capital, to sell the diamonds.
Lumanhe attributed the successful seizure and arrest to coordinated efforts between Criminal Intelligence and the National Police, as part of ongoing campaigns to combat illegal mining activities of strategic minerals. Additionally, on the same day, authorities seized 375 liters of gasoline in the Chitato municipality. The fuel, intended for smuggling
into the Democratic Republic of Congo, was found stored in 15 drums along the old airport runway in the Camatundo neighborhood, leading to the arrest of another suspect.
The confiscated diamonds and fuel will be handed over to ENDIAMA EP and the General Tax Administration, respectively, as they serve as the official custodians. The individuals involved in these illegal activities will be referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for formal charges.