Expanse: Pink Diamond Heist: a true-crime mystery for hedonists

Expanse: Pink Diamond Heist could have emerged from the imaginations of Agatha Christie or Ian Fleming — but it’s real and it happened in one of the most remote parts of Australia.

An Argyle pink diamond. Picture: Jerad Williams

Pink diamonds appeared in Europe about three decades after they disappeared from a secure mine in the east Kimberley Region in Western Australia.

The Argyle mine opened in the 1980s and unearthed a full range of colours such as amber, champagne and of course the famed pale pink.

How the diamonds made their way to the cutting rooms of Antwerp in Belgium is the subject of a new podcast from the ABC.

Expanse: Pink Diamond Heist could have emerged from the imaginations of Agatha Christie or Ian Fleming. Except it didn’t. It’s real and it happened in one of the most remote parts of Australia.

Up to $50m worth of diamonds disappeared in the late 1980s when Perth, about 3000km southwest from the Argyle diamond mine, was booming with hedonistic glory.

Deals worth billions were cut over long lunches just before the economy collapsed and ruined the fun for everyone.

But back to the diamonds.

How the diamonds made their way from the Kimberley to Europe is a story that has not been fully told despite police investigations, court cases and a royal commission.

No spoilers, but hints include police corruption, dodgy security guards and a pair of German shepherd trainers.

In episode two listeners hear from Miles Kennedy, who has diamond mining projects in Angola and the Northern Territory.

He says no matter how much money is spent on security, mine owners are unlikely to keep all the diamonds to themselves. “In the old days you’d hear of carrier pigeons flying out of the compounds with diamonds taped to their legs,” he says.

“There were all sorts of things and I’m sure it was true. You can’t have a catapult on a diamond mine.”

Host Sinead Mangan tells a good yarn in her Irish brogue and the Miss Marple sensibilities of the podcast are enhanced by the music, which unfortunately at times overpowers the dialogue and is distracting.

Marilyn Monroe said diamonds were a girl’s best friend but they also make a pretty good podcast.

Review recommends for hedonists and mystery lovers.

Listen to Expanse: Pink Diamond Heist on your favourite podcast app.