Kupang pearl thieves caught<\/p>\n
KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Police detectives here have
\narrested a group of 13 local divers for allegedly stealing at
\nleast 27,000 cultivated pearls from a farm near Semau Island of
\nKupang regency.<\/p>\n
Kupang Police chief Lt. Col. Agus Kusnadi said on Friday the
\ngroup committed the crime in stages beginning early last month by
\npretending to be traditional fisherman operating near the pearl
\nfarm of PT Timor Otzuki Mutiara, which is a foreign firm.<\/p>\n
"Four of the suspects are staff of the company, while the rest
\nare residents of Semau Island," the officer said.<\/p>\n
According to Agus, the alleged thieves -- all of whom are
\nskilled divers -- sold the "immature" pearls to a number of
\nfencers for an average price of Rp 100,000 (US$12) each.<\/p>\n
"So far, we've only seized 133 of the 27,000 stolen pearls,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Only one of the suspected fencers was apprehended, he added.<\/p>\n
"There'll be more people who'll be dragged before the Kupang
\nPolice," Agus said.<\/p>\n
The officer urged the owner of the pearl farm to install
\nfloating security posts around the one-hectare cultivation area
\nas a deterrent, Antara reported.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kupang-pearl-thieves-caught-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}