GEM SMUGGLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23767, 21 September 1940, Page 2 (Supplement)

GEM SMUGGLING

W HES Hitler's grey-clad armies invaded the peaceful and hardworking country of Holland they hoped for much plunder, but they could find none of the diamonds which had made Amsterdam so famous as,.'a market for these precious stones. Most of them are now in Britain, smuggled out of Holland by many wonderful methods. One of the most common was to cut several small holes in the arms and legs. A terribly painful method this, but a diamond was placed in the wound, and when the skin - was replaced the stone was not visible to enemy searchers. Suspicion Aroused What must be one of the most unusual diamond tricks was employed by a veterinary surgeon in Africa two years ago. Many of the miners kept pet dogs, and whenever tliey were sick took them along to the vet for treatment. When the local police learned that he treated the animals free of charge they became suspicious. For some weeks a policeman kept a day-and-night watch on the vet's house, and noticed that though many dogs went in, none came out. The

Some Amazing Cases Recorded

police chief thought that the vet was vivisecting, and it was decided to raid the house. And what a story was unearthed. - .

Apparently many of the miners managed to smuggle diamonds when leaving work, and, on arriving home., gave them to the dogs to eat,. concealing them in the animals' food. Then the unfortunate animals would be taken along, to the veterinary surgeon for ,tre?.tment. This treatment was given ftee 'K because the vet killed the dog, tcsk out the diamonds, sold " them to agent, and went fifty-fifty with the cfo- " mond miner who owned the dog. He had made a liuge_ fortune, but he'll now rest behind iron bars fo? many a year to come.