Police foil R600k illegal diamond deal in Elsies River
Cape Town - Three Mozambique nationals who allegedly tried to sell uncut diamonds in Elsies River are behind bars after vigilant police intercepted their deal.
According to the Cape Argus’ sister paper the Daily Voice source, the foreign nationals had no clue they were being monitored by clever police as they sought out buyers in the underworld for their diamond stash worth over R600 000.
The insider said: “The suspects are from Mozambique and came to Cape Town to seek buyers in the underworld for the diamonds.
“They asked for R620 000 but had no idea that Crime Intelligence and the police were aware of their plan and set up a sting operation.”
The source explained the sellers made arrangements to meet with the buyer at an establishment, but had no idea police were watching the entire sale.
He explained: “So they made arrangements to meet with a buyer but had no idea that cops intercepted their plans and knew exactly where the sale would go down.
“They arrived on Wednesday afternoon, but the cops were all in plain clothes and all around them waiting for the deal to go down.
“They wanted R620 000 in cash and as soon as they put the diamonds on the table, the police caught them. They got a huge fright.
“The diamonds were placed in a holder for sunglasses and unwrapped on the table.’
Police spokesperson, Captain FC van Wyk said the trio were apprehended by the Maitland Flying Squad.
‘On Wednesday afternoon members attached to Maitland Flying Squad pursued information received about a possible deal where an uncut diamond would be sold at a premises at the casino in Elsies River.
“The three men aged between 50 and 52 tried to sell four uncut diamonds to the buyer but the members were there on time.”
Van Wyk said the trio were subsequently arrested and detained at Elsies River SAPS for the illegal possession of uncut diamonds and fraud.
‘The members also seized a diamond tester together with the diamonds with an estimated value of about R60 000. The suspects will appear in the Goodwood Magistrates Court once charged, on the mentioned charge.’