Conflict Diamonds Reaching U.S., Europe via India

A report prepared by Indian customs officials claims that conflict diamonds, diamonds that do not have certification from the Kimberley Process, have been imported to India, processed, and then exported to Europe and the United States, the Times of India reports. Conflict diamonds are acquired in ways that involve violent conflict inside a country's borders, causing human suffering.
The India customs report stated that diamonds from Zimbabwe, which are under sanctions by the United States and some European countries, are smuggled into India via Kenya, according to Israelidiamond.co.il. The report noted that in the last twelve months more than 48,600 carats of these diamonds were found by the country's security agents, totaling approximately $1.75 million in value.
The report noted that the import of rough diamonds is not subject to any customs fees in India, a fact that may make it easier to import conflict diamonds without any scrutiny. It also stated that due to the enormous amount of money traded for the diamonds, the diamond industry is an arena favored by money launderers.