Dubai Police successfully foiled the theft of a rare pink diamond worth $25 million, stopping a gang’s elaborate plan to smuggle the gem out of the country.
Authorities said Operation ‘Pink Diamond’ led to the arrest of three suspects who had spent over a year plotting the crime. The diamond, certified by a leading gemological institute, is considered virtually irreplaceable, with only a 0.01% chance of finding another of its kind.
Investigations revealed that the suspects targeted the diamond’s owner, a jeweller, tricking him into believing a wealthy buyer was interested. To gain credibility, they rented luxury cars, booked meetings in upscale hotels, and even hired a renowned diamond expert to verify the gem. Convinced by their act, the merchant agreed to bring the diamond out of his secure shop.
The gang lured him to a villa under the pretext of meeting the “buyer,” seized the diamond, and fled.
Within minutes of receiving the theft report, Dubai Police formed a specialised task force. Using advanced tracking technology, the CID located the three Asian suspects, who had split up after the heist. Simultaneous raids at multiple locations led to their arrest and the recovery of the diamond, which was found hidden in a refrigerator bound for an Asian country.
The pink diamond, classified as Fancy Intense and weighing 21.25 carats, boasts exceptional clarity, symmetry, and polish, all graded “Excellent.”
The merchant praised Dubai Police for their swift and professional response, saying their speed and efficiency gave him immediate confidence that the case would be resolved. After calling 999, multiple patrols arrived within minutes, began the investigation, and provided constant reassurance.
“To my surprise, the very next morning, they called to say the suspects had been arrested and the diamond recovered,” he said.
Operating in Dubai since 2005, he admitted being caught off guard by the scheme and urged peers in the industry to strictly follow safety guidelines. He added, “Dubai has become a safe global hub for diamond trade. It’s important we uphold the standards that make that possible.”
