Tanzanite smuggling saga takes new turn
Tanzania ranks third in tanzanite transactions despite the country being the sole place where tanzanite is extracted. The government’s own report indicated two years ago that India was leading by exporting Sh509 billion worth of tanzanite, followed by Kenya Sh173 billion and Tanzania Sh45.5 billion.
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Crown Lapidary was accused of conspiring with Andarag Jain, 44, an Indian national, who was recently convicted of smuggling the gemstone through the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in Moshi Municipality.
Arusha. The tanzanite smuggling saga takes a new twist with the Energy and Minerals Ministry demanding an explanation from Crown Lapidary, the Arusha-based firm implicated in the syndicate.
Crown Lapidary was accused of conspiring with Andarag Jain, 44, an Indian national, who was recently convicted of smuggling the gemstone through the Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) in Moshi Municipality.
The commissioner of minerals for the Northern Zone, Mr Alex Magayane, told reporters yesterday that he had received a copy of the judgment of the case heard at Kilimanjaro Resident Magistrate Court in which the firm was mentioned.
“We’ve embarked on an investigation with lawyers,” said Mr Magayane, explaining that his office would serve the firm with a letter requiring an explanation before legal action was taken against it, as the smuggled gemstones were already confiscated.
The judgment says Jain bought the tanzanite from the unlicensed local firm whose employee Lucas Mdemu had escorted the customer to the airport.
Mr Tigana says the proprietor of the firm had conspired with security personnel and other workers at the airport, including Corporal Endrew ,Caphace Rangia ,Rachel Shao, and Debora Komba who took the tanzanite to the departure lounge’s toilet before handing the tanzaniteback to the convict.
