Sri Lankan caught smuggling over 2,000 diamonds in swallowed condoms

[News_Editor]

Sri Lankan caught smuggling over 2,000 diamonds in swallowed condoms

2010-10-28 23:49:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHENNAI, INDIA (BNO NEWS) – A Sri Lankan Man, who had swallowed 2,060 diamonds worth up to Rs. 3 crore ($674,715 dollars) packed in several condoms, was arrested at an airport on Tuesday, local media reported Thursday.

Mohammed Shakif, 43, of Galle, Sri Lanka, was smuggling the precious stones in 42 condoms and had just arrived in Chennai, located in the southern region of India, when a team of suburban police acting on a tip off inquired him. According to the police the precious stones were worth between Rs. 1.5 crore ($337,357 dollars) and Rs. 3 crore ($674,715 dollars).

Shakif initially refused to answer, but he was taken to the police station and later to Chromepet Government Hospital at Guindy where an x-ray of his stomach was taken. The results forced Shakif to confess that he had been hired to smuggle the stones.

"Even during questioning, he could not sit comfortably and when questioned, he told the police that he was suffering from piles," said Suburban Police commissioner, SR Jangid.

Security officials proceeded by giving Shakif bananas. The diamonds were then collected.

"He had previously smuggled in three occasions in a similar manner and was caught this time,†said Jangid, who explained that according to police sources, Shakif would take Rs 10,000 ($224 dollars) as commission each time.

"We got a tip off that he would be about 40 years old and has a gap between his two front teeth. We waited at the immigration check and nabbed him as he was about to get into a taxi," Jangid added.

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