Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of Gujarat and Odisha police arrested Laxman Biswal, Duryodhan Bisi and Birendera Pradhan were arrested yesterday and 32 packets of diamonds valued at Rs 85 lakh were recovered from their possession, they said.
The three stole the diamonds from trader Suresh Kantilal Meheta while negotiating the price at a hotel in Surat.
Meheta reported the matter to Mahidarpura police station in Surat and the case was handed over to Gujarat Crime Branch.
After being informed about the presence of the three in Sambalpur region, Gujarat Police informed DIG (Northern Range) Sanjay Kumar and asked for assistance to nab the culprits and a special team was formed, police said.