Over 100 sapphires and gemstones that were seized by the Australian border force are going under the hammer at Lloyds this Friday.
The gemstones were initially detected concealed within a passenger's luggage and had not been declared upon entry into Australia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) officers assessed the gemstones had them independently valued and informed the traveller of the associated tax obligations. The passenger chose to abandon the jewels rather than fulfill the tax requirements.
ABF Inspector Michael Bakes highlighted the significance of such seizures, noting that luxury items like gemstones are often utilised by criminal organisations to launder illicit funds.
"ABF officers are on the frontline at Australia's international airports using a combination of intelligence, intuition and technology, to detect and disrupt all illegal activities," said ABF inspector Micheal bakes.
The online auction is scheduled for this Friday April 11 at Lloyds, providing a rare opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts to acquire these unique gems.
"We are honoured to offer the Australian Border Force a platform to auction these gemstones and offer an opportunity to the public," said Mr. Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer for Lloyds Auctions.
All proceeds from the auction will be directed to the Government's Consolidated Revenue Fund, supporting various public initiatives and reinforcing the government's dedication to upholding the law and deterring criminal enterprises.
Lloyds Auctions is working with the Australian Border Force on this endeavour, ensuring that these remarkable gemstones find new homes while contributing to the broader effort of maintaining integrity and accountability within the community.
