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RP seizes $10.4 million smuggled diamonds

by Babel-Fish | August 14, 2009 at 09:03 am

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MANILA -- A British woman has been arrested for allegedly smuggling $10.4 million worth of diamonds into the Philippines, an official said Friday.

Officers from the presidential anti-smuggling group arrested Alpha Kwok, a Chinese-born British national from Hong Kong, at an upscale Manila condominium Tuesday and seized 160 carats of diamonds along with uncut emeralds and other precious stones, said Antonio Villar Jr., head of the agency.

Kwok has been charged with smuggling and detained pending a review of the case by the Justice Department, Villar said.

She seemingly seems to be a Chinese woman born in China with a Hong Kong, British Passport issued prior to the Chinese takeover. I don't think she has ever been to Britain.

Kwok, who was born in China and lives in Hong Kong, remains in custody pending a review of the case by the Filipino justice department.

There of course is a debate over the actual amount she is alleged to of smuggled?

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Babel-Fish

at 09:15 on August 14th, 2009

I am not sure that a person can be called a British national if they where born in China then lived in Hong Kong prior to the Chinese take over? However prior to the handover such passports were issued. perhaps I am wrong but I think she should be called a Hong Kong national.

158

at 14:59 on August 14th, 2009

That is a lot of diamonds.

Eves (not verified)

at 19:03 on September 21st, 2009

You always gotta wonder if the amount given in the press release of seized property was really the amount taken. Sounds to me like she can afford a good attorney and probably has a good chance at beating the case as she was not taken into custody at the airport when she arrived but rather at another location meaning she could have bought the diamonds anywhere.