The customs and police officials at Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Vietnam) seized a total of 1,078 smuggled diamonds in two separate incidents. This interception involved coordinated efforts by Tan Son Nhat Airport Customs, part of the Ho Chi Minh City Customs Department, and the Economic Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police.
In both incidents, the individuals apprehended were Indian nationals suspected of attempting to illegally transport diamonds into Vietnam for sale to prominent local dealers in Ho Chi Minh City’s diamond market.
First Seizure: October 25
The first diamond smuggling attempt was intercepted at approximately 6:30 p.m. on October 25. Customs and Economic Police, in conjunction with the Anti-Smuggling Control Division for the Southern Region (Division 3) of the General Department of Anti-Smuggling Investigation and Tan Binh District Police, identified suspicious contents during a routine scan of a passenger’s luggage.
The passenger, identified as Mr. D.A.K., an Indian national arriving from Hong Kong, was found carrying 362 diamonds. These diamonds were cleverly concealed within two candy containers; the diamonds, stored in 15 nylon bags, were hidden beneath actual candy used to mask the illicit contents.
Second Seizure: October 23
The initial discovery occurred on the morning of October 23 at around 9 a.m. The coordinated team detained Mr. P.S.H., another Indian national, who arrived on a flight from India. Upon examination, officials found 716 diamonds concealed in 10 nylon bags hidden within his wallet, which was placed among his clothing and personal belongings.
Estimated Value and Ongoing Investigation
A detailed examination confirmed that the seized items included both natural and synthetic diamonds, with a combined estimated market value in the tens of billions of Vietnamese dong (VND). Both cases have now been transferred to the Economic Police Division of the Ho Chi Minh City Police, where further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the smuggling operations.
This dual interception at Tan Son Nhat International Airport highlights Vietnam’s increased vigilance against smuggling and reinforces efforts by local customs and law enforcement to curtail illegal diamond trafficking.
