Esmeralda Bahia
A rough emerald, smuggled from Brazil in 2005, was illegally taken from Bahia, where it was extracted, to the United States, where it has been found ever since. Now, she can be repatriated and return home.
Weighing almost 380 kilos, the gem may now be about to be returned home after a decision by the US federal court set in motion the repatriation of the jewel to Brazil, according to .
The stone, known as Esmeralda Bahia It is considered, with 180 thousand carats, the largest on the planet. Until 2014, it had an estimated value of 372 million dollars (about 352 million euros). The NYT adds that it is believed that today it is worth up to 1000 million euros.
The emerald — which is said to be “cursed” — was discovered in 2001 in Pindobaçu, in northern Bahia, and is considered a national treasure. The United States Department of Justice has until December 6th to present the final decision on repatriation. However, Brazil can still appeal in North American courts.
The dispute over ownership of the mineral has been going on for 15 years. In 2009, the group FM Holdings claimed ownership of the stone. At the time, three partners were interviewed. However, Brazil decided to demand its rightsrequesting the dissolution of the process and possession of the emerald.
In 2016, Brazilians accused of smuggling the giant emerald were convicted of the crimes of receipt, use of false documents e smuggling. Businessmen Elson Alves Ribeiro and Ruy Saraiva Filho were sentenced, respectively, to sentences of 16 years and 10 months in prison and 9 years in prison.
In the indictment, the Federal Public Ministry declared that the defendants were partners and knowingly exported the emerald, with false statements. The ore will have been exported as natural bitumen stone and asphalt, with declared value of zero euros and estimated gross weight of 113 kg.
For now, the stone remains in the custody of the Los Angeles Police, in the state of California.
🇺🇸🇧🇷CURSED $1-BILLION EMERALD TO HAUNT BRAZIL AGAIN
The 836-pound Bahia Emerald, rumored to be CURSED, is heading back to Brazil after a U.S. court ruled it’s time to say, “Not our problem!”
Smuggled out in 2001 (with a mule allegedly mauled by a panther), it survived Hurricane…
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal)
