IRKUTSK, July 2 (RIA Novosti) - Police have seized emeralds and diamonds, the largest haul in a decade, from an unlicensed dealer in the East Siberian city of Irkutsk, a law enforcement source said on Wednesday.
The precious stones, over 25,000 carats of rough emeralds and cut diamonds with a total weight of 50 carats, were seized from a local jeweler. The haul also included four diamonds each weighing 0.5 carats and worth 250,000 rubles ($11,000).
Along with the gems, police also found 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs) of gold and some silver powder.
A criminal case has been opened into the illegal trade of precious metals and stones, which carries a prison sentence of up to seven years.