Diamond smuggling rife in Angloa

Hundreds of diamond smugglers are pouring into Angola's eastern diamond region every day from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a top Angolan general says.

The general, who asked to remain anonymous because of the military's secrecy laws, said Angola had recently invested US$13 million ($21.6 million) to increase military patrols along the Congo border and stop the flow of illegal immigrants.

"We're talking about hundreds of men, women - even pregnant women - who try to break through Angola's border every day," he said. Angola, the world's fifth-biggest diamond producer, allows only companies that partner with state-run firm Endiama to explore for diamonds.