Vietnam probes diamond smuggling ring linked to major jeweller

HANOI: Vietnamese police are investigating an international diamond smuggling ring accused of trafficking 28,000 gems worth nearly US$11 million, with the country's largest jeweller caught up in the probe.The former head of Phu Nhuan Jewelry's (PNJ) gem certification subsidiary was arrested earlier this month, along with more than 30 others accused of involvement in a syndicate that operated over several years.Police raided more than 20 premises, including jewellery stores and the homes of the accused, mostly in Ho Chi Minh City, the Ministry of Public Security said in a statement late on Tuesday (Jul 14).State media reported on Wednesday that a number of establishments linked to the investigation had suddenly closed. Dang Ngoc Thao, the former director of PNJ Laboratory, is accused of fal