Xá-muteba: The Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) arrested an Angolan and a Lebanese citizen on Monday in the municipality of Xá-Muteba, located in the province of Lunda-Norte. The two individuals were apprehended for possession and illegal trafficking of 7,550 diamonds of various carats.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the SIC spokesperson for the province, Graciano Lumanhe, stated that the suspects, aged 57 and 47, were seized while traveling on a public highway. They were on their way to Luanda, the country’s capital, with 800,000 kwanzas and the diamonds in their luggage.

Lumanhe mentioned that this arrest was part of an ongoing operation targeting illegal mining and trafficking of diamonds and petroleum products. The spokesperson emphasized that the seized diamonds would be handed over to ENDIAMA-EP, the designated trustee. The arrested individuals will be referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office for further legal action.