US citizens arrested for diamond dealing

THE Namibian Police’s Protected Resources Unit arrested two New York City residents in Windhoek late last week on a charge of illegally dealing in uncut diamonds valued at about N$641 000.

United States citizens Daniel Baruchov (45) and Samuel Shapiro (65) were arrested at the Windhoek Country Club and Resort on Thursday, a Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer James Matengu, said yesterday. He added that 22 uncut diamonds, claimed to be worth N$641 627, were found in their possession.He did not have immediate information available about the weight of the diamonds.Another source indicated that the two men were arrested after they were lured into a diamond-dealing trap that had been set up by members of the Protected Resources Unit.Baruchov and Shapiro, represented by lawyer Charles Visser, appeared before Magistrate Helvi Shilemba in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Friday.Public Prosecutor Amizé Adams suggested to the court that they could be released on bail of N$300 000 each, and Magistrate Shilemba granted each of them bail in that amount.The bail was paid on Friday.Baruchov and Shapiro were told that they have to appear in court again tomorrow to plead on the charge that they are facing.They are at this stage charged with illegal dealing in unpolished diamonds, alternatively illegal possession of unpolished diamonds.In terms of their bail conditions, the two men have to report to the Windhoek Police Station three times a day, had to surrender their passports to the Police, and are not permitted to leave the district of Windhoek without the permission of the Police officer investigating their case.He added that 22 uncut diamonds, claimed to be worth N$641 627, were found in their possession.He did not have immediate information available about the weight of the diamonds.Another source indicated that the two men were arrested after they were lured into a diamond-dealing trap that had been set up by members of the Protected Resources Unit.Baruchov and Shapiro, represented by lawyer Charles Visser, appeared before Magistrate Helvi Shilemba in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on Friday.Public Prosecutor Amizé Adams suggested to the court that they could be released on bail of N$300 000 each, and Magistrate Shilemba granted each of them bail in that amount.The bail was paid on Friday.Baruchov and Shapiro were told that they have to appear in court again tomorrow to plead on the charge that they are facing.They are at this stage charged with illegal dealing in unpolished diamonds, alternatively illegal possession of unpolished diamonds.In terms of their bail conditions, the two men have to report to the Windhoek Police Station three times a day, had to surrender their passports to the Police, and are not permitted to leave the district of Windhoek without the permission of the Police officer investigating their case.