Blood Diamonds Still Flowing Out of Africa
4/21/2009 7:44:01 AM Suzanne Gannon
Jamaica, NY – Two US diamond jewelers arriving from Sierra Leone via London were caught on April 18 with almost 1,200 carats in rough diamonds. The individuals were stopped by Customs and Border Protection officers at JFK International Airport, failing to show proper documentation for their shipment.
Upon entering the country, they declared that they were transporting rough diamonds and 57 pounds of gold dust. When asked for the proper certification for the rough diamonds, the two did not have it. According to the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003, which was drafted to prevent the trade of blood diamonds, all diamonds must have with them Kimberley Certificates. These are certificates from the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme—the body responsible for identifying and stopping the blood diamond trade. The United States, in conjunction with the United Nations, requires that any participating nation ensures that all imported or exported rough diamonds have undergone such certification.
Because the individuals with their 28 diamonds—declared at a value of $800,000—were unable to show any certification, the diamonds were seized, although it is not yet known for sure whether or not they are, in fact, blood diamonds. Any uncertified diamond is subject to seizure, although diamonds from Sierra Leone are particularly suspect. Charles Taylor, former President of Liberia, is currently standing trial for war crimes—supplying weapons to rebel groups in Sierra Leone in exchange for diamonds.
The two jewelers, who were on their way to Brentwood, New York, were released with their gold dust, but the diamonds are being held until a full investigation takes place.
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