Passenger from Angola Caught with 11,000 Undeclared Diamonds

(IDEX Online) - A passenger arriving in Germany from Angola was found to be carrying 11,270 rough diamonds concealed in the false bottom of his carry-on luggage, according to customs officers at Frankfurt am Main Airport.

The 53-year-old man, whose identity was not disclosed, failed to declare the stones upon entry and was unable to present the Kimberley Process certificates required for the legal export of rough diamonds.

The gems were discovered in two separate bags during a routine aviation security check, customs officials said.

German authorities detained the passenger and placed him in custody. An expert appraisal is under way to determine the value of the diamonds, which has not yet been disclosed.

Customs officials said the man is being investigated for violations of foreign trade regulations and is also suspected of evading import duties. Concealment of the diamonds indicates deliberate smuggling rather than an administrative error, authorities added.

All rough diamonds exported from Angola must be accompanied by a Kimberley Process certificate, part of an international scheme designed to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the global supply chain.

Shipments without the required documentation are considered illegal under both Angolan law and international trade regulations.

Angola is one of Africa's largest diamond producers and among the world's leading sources of rough diamonds, with output reaching about 14 million carats in 2024.

The country has faced persistent challenges related to illegal mining and smuggling, and authorities regularly report seizures linked to the illicit diamond trade.

Pic shows the diamonds concealed in the passenger's luggage.