Fifty individuals, including several Hong Kong residents, have been arrested on suspicion of being part of a diamond smuggling ring.



According to a police investigation, three Hong Kong residents are suspected of serving as middlemen for a diamond smuggling ring. The smugglers reportedly hid the diamonds hidden in their shirt pockets or attached them to their belt. Among those arrested are buyers and distributors from the mainland.



One of the smugglers from Hong Kong, a Mr. Yung, was stopped on January 8 by the Law Wo customs authority after acting suspiciously. In a body search, it was discovered that the man was carrying three small packets of diamonds.



On the basis of information that the suspect divulged during his interrogation, the investigators arrested other members of the gang and confiscated large quantities of diamonds and cash.



Rough diamond prices in China are extremely high, due to various taxes including an import tax, VAT and a consumer tax. According to reports, close to 80% of the diamonds in China are smuggled into the country.