Kasai Oriental Authorities Seize 13 kg of Diamonds in Anti-Smuggling Operation
DRC Diamond Smuggling Thwarted: 13 kg Seized in Kasai Oriental, Strengthening Mining Sector Controls
Provincial authorities in Kasai Oriental intercepted a shipment of approximately 13 kilograms of diamonds on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at Bipemba Airport in Mbuji-Mayi. The cargo was reportedly about to be fraudulently transported to Kinshasa.
The operation was carried out jointly by the provincial Anti-Fraud Services, the Mines Division, and other specialized agencies, signaling a strong commitment to curbing mineral smuggling in the region.
Interim Governor Daniel Kazadi Cilumbayi commended the vigilance of the control teams and reaffirmed the provincial government’s determination to clean up the mining sector. “There will be zero tolerance for mining fraud.
The law must be applied in full rigor,” he said, urging authorities to act with transparency and professionalism.
The governor also instructed mining and security officials to enhance control measures in artisanal mining areas and at key exit points to prevent parallel export routes. “We must break with old practices and prove that Kasai Oriental can manage its resources responsibly,” he added.
This seizure comes amid a resurgence of illicit diamond flows in the province, highlighting persistent governance challenges. Observers note that smuggling deprives both national and provincial authorities of millions of dollars in tax revenue each year.
Kasai Oriental, historically the heart of Congolese diamond production, continues to face structural obstacles such as weak traceability, informal purchasing channels, and limited logistical capacity for border monitoring.
Authorities aim to reverse this trend by implementing more transparent and rigorous management practices aligned with ongoing national-level reforms.
The intercepted shipment has been secured, and a judicial investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators and their accomplices. If confirmed, this could be one of the largest diamond seizures in Mbuji-Mayi in recent years and a strong warning to actors involved in illegal mining networks.
