31 Detained In Connection To Spectacular $50 Million Diamond Heist In Belgium

ABC NewsPolice have detained 31 people in three countries in connection with a spectacular diamond heist at the Brussels Airport, according to a Belgian prosecutor and reported by The Associated Press.

On February 18 armed men dressed like police stole more than $50 million worth of diamonds after they cut an hole in the airport fence, approached the plane in black cars with blue police lights flashing, unloaded the diamonds at gunpoint, and sped away.

"This was a very precise, almost military-organized and well-executed robbery," Brussels Airport Spokesman Van der Cruysse said after the raid.

He added that the thieves needed only three minutes at the plane and only 11 minutes total to seize 120 parcels containing diamonds as well as some precious metals.

At the time the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Belgium broadcaster VRT reported the loot may have been worth as much as $350 million.

On Wednesday Bijnens said police detained a Frenchman believed to be one of the robbers in France, six people in Switzerland, and 24 in Belgium. An unspecified amount of money and diamonds connected with the heist — the money in Belgium and the diamonds in Switzerland — have been recovered.