Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Man 'swallows $13,000 diamond' at Sri Lanka gem exhibition

A Sri Lankan security official (L) and uniformed police escort a Chinese national (C) who is accused of stealing a USD 13,800 diamond by swallowing it

The 32-year-old man swallowed the gem after taking it from a display cabinet as the annual exhibition opened on Wednesday in the capital, Colombo.

"He... appeared to be appraising it and suddenly put it in his mouth," an unnamed police officer told AFP.

He said the man was taken to hospital to be given laxatives.

It is not yet clear whether the diamond has been recovered from the man, who was also arrested for attempted theft.

The owner of the diamond complained to police after seeing the visitor consume the precious stone, officials said.

Sri Lanka has a thriving gem industry but it does not mine diamonds. It is well known for its blue sapphires.



Source & Image : BBC

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