JOHANNESBURG (November 15, 2012)--Police in South Africa say they arrested a 25-year-old man who swallowed 220 polished diamonds in an attempt to smuggle them out of the country.

Capt. Paul Ramaloko of the South African Police Service said investigators made the arrest Tuesday night as the man waited in line at security at O.R. Tambo International Airport just outside of Johannesburg.

Ramaloko said a scan of the man's body showed the diamonds, which later were recovered.

He said the man intended to fly to Dubai.

Ramaloko said the diamonds are worth about $2.3 million.

Authorities believe the man belongs to a smuggling ring, as another man was arrested in March attempting the same thing.

South Africa is one of the world's top diamond producers.