Legality
I was wondering. Since he received the gem stone inside of some fish, does that mean there was something illegal about it? Auction house did not care.
shareI was thinking the same thing. However, in my opinion it was an attempt to ward off potential thieves from stealing it. Also, knowing Howard character - it was most likely a way to avoid paying tariffs/taxes on the estimated value.
shareYes, it was probably smuggled. My understanding of it was that the two Ethiopians who found it decided to keep it and sell it clandestinely, rather than informing the mine owner, to whom it would have legally belonged. Even though it was an act of theft, I couldn't really hold it against them - it's implied that the workers are badly treated by the corporation that runs the mine, at least if the safety standards and emergency medical care are anything to go by.
share