Suspected diamond thief has diamond surgically removed from her gut

A diamond valued at 10 million baht (S$392,100) was surgically removed from a woman's intestines on Sunday (Sept 13).

The 39-year-old woman from China, Jiang Sulian, had swallowed the six-carat diamond after allegedly stealing it. 

According to the Bangkok Post, she had allegedly taken the diamond from the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair at Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi on Thursday (Sept 10).

She had swopped the real gemstone for a fake and then swallowed the diamond in a bid to smuggle it out of Thailand.

Her bid to escape Thailand was foiled when she and her male accomplice, a 34-year-old man called He Ying, was arrested at Suvarnabhumi Airport by immigration officials.

CCTV footage released by the Police showing the two suspects at the jewellry fair. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/Deanbangkok
 

While they initially denied committing the crime, they eventually admitted to stealing the diamond.

An X-ray showed the gem's location inside Jiang Sulian's abdomen.

Police gave her laxatives on Friday night so that the gem could exit naturally.

Unfortunately, it did not flow according to plan so police had to resort to plan number two.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Anchulee Theerawongpaisal, spokesman of the Police General Hospital where the woman was treated, said doctors used a colonoscope and instruments to remove the gem from her lower intestine .

The process took 12 minutes, AFP reported.

Thai police said that Jiang Sulian is currently resting in hospital to regain her strength. Once ready she will be sent to detention at Nonthaburi Court in Bangkok.

Source: Bangkok Post, AFP