A Namibian man, aged 64, was apprehended at the Ariamsvlei border post on Friday after customs officers discovered 26 items believed to be unpolished diamonds in his travel bag. The suspect was also found in possession of a diamond tester, known as a Diamond Selector 2, during a routine search of the truck in which he was a passenger.
According to the police weekend crime report, the man was entering Namibia from South Africa, having exited the country on April 11, 2025, through the Noordoewer border post. Authorities confirmed that the suspicious items were seized and have been logged as evidence under case number Pol 7. However, the exact value of the potential diamonds has not yet been established.
The man is scheduled to appear before the Karasburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Investigators are still piecing together the full circumstances around the discovery, including whether the suspect was part of a larger smuggling operation.
While speculation is mounting about possible links to the recent high-profile Namib Desert Diamonds (Namdia) robbery, law enforcement officials have so far found no evidence connecting the two cases. “It is too early to say whether there is any connection, the investigation is ongoing,” a police spokesperson stated.
As authorities dig deeper, many are watching closely to see whether this arrest will uncover broader implications for Namibia’s already-sensitive diamond trade sector.
