Police in Dubai say they’ve arrested a “gang” they say was involved in an elaborate scheme to steal a rare pink diamond worth $25 million and smuggle it out of the country. Dubai Police first told the United Arab Emirates’ official news agency WAM of the operation to retrieve the diamond and capture the group, which was dubbed “Operation Pink Diamond,” on Monday.
A long-time planning
Authorities said the suspects had planned for more than a year to steal the rare gem.
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The plot reportedly entailed finding the diamond’s owner and tricking him into thinking the suspects were representing a wealthy customer, with the aim of having the jeweler remove the gem from the protection of the shop so they could steal it. The plot also involved the three suspects renting luxury vehicles and arranging meetups at high-end hotels. Police said the diamond’s owner had imported the gem from Europe to sell in Dubai, and the gang had closely tracked its arrival.
The heist
The plan initially worked. The three men were able to make off with the diamond after the jeweler presented it to them at a villa.
But police quickly caught up to them after the jeweler called emergency services.
“I just had a problem,” a man said over an emergency call obtained by the Dubai Media Office. “I came to meet a client to sell a diamond to them. They looked at the stone and now … it’s stolen.”
Authorities move quickly
Investigators tracked the suspects’ locations and eventually found the diamond in a small refrigerator bound for Asia within eight hours.
Authorities reportedly employed artificial intelligence to capture the men.
Police also released video footage of CCTV clips that showed the alleged gang and the three suspects with their faces blurred.
Authorities didn’t disclose any other details about the suspects, including where they were sending the diamond.
A specialized task force was reportedly used to track down the suspects who scrambled to different locations following the heist. In total, three suspects were taken into police custody.
Police response ‘astonishing’
The diamond’s owner praised the police’s quick response, calling it “astonishing.”
The jeweler has operated in Dubai for around two decades and said he was caught by surprise. He warns others in the jewelry business to follow safety measures recommended by UAE authorities.
“Dubai has become a safe global centre for diamond trade,” he told WAM. “It’s important we uphold the standards that make that possible.”
