Feds Seize Stolen 68-Carat Diamond

A 68-carat diamond, allegedly stolen at New York’s Kennedy Airport and sold for a vastly reduced price of $1 million to a Fifth Ave. jeweler, was seized by federal agents Friday, according to a report by The New York Daily News.

The diamond’s actual value is approximately $3.3 million, the report stated, citing a warrant affidavit unsealed Thursday in Brooklyn Federal Court.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent Todd Hyman claims the diamond was transported to New York City last September by diamond dealer Dennis Van Kerrebroeck under an agreement to purchase the diamond from a South
African mining company.

Hyman said the diamond was originally submitted to U.S. Customs & Border Protection officers and held overnight at Swiss Air Cargo for customs clearance. Court papers state that Van Kerrebroeck allegedly contacted a customs broker and arranged clearance for the diamond without the mining company's knowledge.

Van Kerrebroeck then allegedly sold the diamond to Taly Diamond of Fifth Ave. for one-third its worth, which is where the diamond was seized on Thursday.

Van Kerrebroeck is being sought for questioning by law enforcement officials.