Diamond jewellery worth EUR 3 million was stolen from a shopping centre in Dubai on 5 November.

INTERPOL has circulated the details of Toni Musulin to its 188 member countries following the EUR 11 million theft in Lyon.

Citing the recent EUR 11.7 million theft from an armoured car in Lyon, France and two thefts in the United Arab Emirates, one of gold bullion worth an estimated USD 2 million and a second of diamond jewellery worth USD 3 million, INTERPOL Secretary General Ronald K. Noble said that in the 21st century, police can no longer investigate these types of theft ‘behind closed doors’.

“The very nature of crimes involving such huge sums means that they are more likely to have international elements, and not involving the wider global law enforcement community from the outset of any investigation can only be considered as negligent,” said Secretary General Noble.

“It has also been demonstrated time and again that the public are willing and able to assist in investigations and that their help can provide significant results.

“Similarly, publishing images of stolen goods will make it more difficult for thieves to sell their haul and will protect unsuspecting members of the public and businesses,” added the head of INTERPOL.

In a move praised by Secretary General Noble, at the request of INTERPOL’s National Central Bureau (NCB) in Abu Dhabi, INTERPOL is today publishing photos of EUR 3 million worth of diamond jewellery stolen from a commercial centre in Dubai on 5 November.

This follows the recent successful collaboration between NCB Abu Dhabi, the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France and law enforcement agencies in Hong Kong, which resulted in a series of arrests in connection with the theft of gold bullion from Dubai airport on 29 October.

NCB Abu Dhabi alerted INTERPOL headquarters to the theft involving five individuals, three of whom were thought to be heading to Hong Kong. Close co-operation between INTERPOL’s 24-hour Command and Co-ordination Centre (CCC), NCB Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong and the head of the border police at Abu Dhabi meant the three suspects were identified as soon as they landed at Hong Kong airport and were immediately sent back to Abu Dhabi, where they were arrested.

It was then revealed that the gold had been sent to America, and the ensuing information exchange between NCB Washington, NCB Abu Dhabi, the CCC and the US Department of Homeland Security resulted in the recovery of part of the haul in New York on Thursday 5 November, exactly one week after the robbery.                                

The two other individuals suspected of involvement in the robbery are now subject of INTERPOL Red Notices , or international wanted persons notices. The Red Notices, which include identifying details such as photos and fingerprints, are not only in INTERPOL’s global databases where they can be checked by any of its 188 member countries, but can also be added to foreign law enforcement databases and border lookout systems.

“Co-operation with other countries via INTERPOL resulted in the quick arrest of three suspects in the gold bullion theft, and we are certain that with continued assistance those involved in the theft of the diamond jewellery in Dubai will also soon be in custody,” said Head of INTERPOL Abu Dhabi Colonel Ali Salem Al Khayyal, who is liaising closely with the Fugitive department of Dubai Police to ensure the smooth transfer of information relating to the case both nationally and internationally.

This is the latest in a series of cases where the UAE has made significant and successful use of INTERPOL’s tools. In 2007, close collaboration between the UAE and INTERPOL led to the creation of the Pink Panther working group after DNA profiles sent from a robbery in Dubai were matched against others submitted to INTERPOL from a robbery in Lichtenstein in 2006, revealing that the armed robbery ring was active not just in Europe, but around the world.

Further underlining the reach of INTERPOL’s global tools, a request for information on the driver of an armoured truck has been sent around the world on behalf of French authorities, following the theft of EUR 11 million on Thursday 5 November in Lyon.

The armoured van was discovered empty and abandoned by its driver, 39-year-old Toni Musulin who is believed to have fled the country. His photograph and fingerprints have now been circulated to each of INTERPOL’s 188 member countries to assist in his identification when located.