225 rough diamonds seized in Raipur, 3 held

In a major haul, 225 pieces of rough diamonds worth several lakhs of rupees allegedly meant for smuggling were recovered here from three persons, who have been arrested, police said today.
"Acting on a tip-off, the accused were nabbed from Telghani Naka area late yesterday evening," an official of Central Crime Branch (CCB), Raipur, said.
Those arrested were identified as Chatur Mehar (39) and Laxmikant Mehar (32), both hailing from Nuapada in Odisha, and Ramlakhan Kaivart (42), a resident of Saddhu housing board colony here, the official told PTI.
After receiving specific information that the three suspects were looking for customers to sell rough diamonds in the city, a team of CCB swung into action and intercepted the trio, he said.

During a search, 225 pieces of rough diamonds, worth several lakhs of rupees, were recovered from their possession, the official said, adding that according to the statement of the accused, the seized precious stones have an estimated market value of around Rs 20 lakh.
The trio admitted to have been looking out for customers to dispose of the precious stones which they allegedly brought from thediamond-rich belt of Deobhog area in Gariaband district, around 150 kms from here, he said.
A case has been registered in this connection, the official said, adding that further probe was on.