Police from 27 countries investigating diamond and jewel theft cases attributed to the Pink Panthers gang met in Dubai last week to update each other on ongoing cases and arrests, www.DiamondNe.ws reports.

INTERPOL uses the name Pink Panthers for groups of criminals who rob stores selling high-end jewelry and luxury watches. Some of the robberies are conducted using weapons.

In 2010 alone, INTERPOL member nations reported 31 new cases of diamond and jewelry theft linked to the Pink Panthers, putting the group's total number of jobs since 1999 at over 270, with over €300 million in jewels stolen.

INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble noted that 2010 also saw the arrests of 36 suspected Pink Panthers members. He praised the investigators, saying that their hard work and commitment had caused the "once seemingly untouchable Pink Panthers" to suffer "major losses."