Swiss trader accused of laundering mafia money with diamonds
A Swiss trader stands trial on Thursday accused of knowingly buying diamonds worth $750,000 on behalf of Italian criminals to help them launder the proceeds of a $35 million tax scam.
The exceptional D colour Type IIa gem was recovered in March from the company’s iconic Cullinan mine, the same that yielded the biggest diamond ever in 1905.
ASIC has for months been probing how Merlin Diamonds has loaned A$13 million of investor money to a private company, AXIS Consultants, which has long been associated with the miner's chairman and his family.
Lucara, which has recovered two of the largest diamonds in recent history, is turning to technology to ensure growth in an industry where new mine acquisitions remain elusive.