A bizarre, six-day police operation in New Zealand has concluded after officers recovered a James Bond-themed Fabergé pendant that a man allegedly swallowed to steal it. The NZ$33,000 ($19,000 USD, approx. KES 2.5 million) piece was retrieved by natural means, police confirmed, avoiding any need for medical intervention.

This unusual case puts a spotlight on the extreme measures taken in high-stakes theft, where the value of a single item can be life-changing. For context, the KES 2.5 million price tag of the swallowed pendant could represent a significant down payment on a home in many parts of Nairobi or fund a small business entirely.

The 32-year-old suspect, who has not been named, was arrested inside Partridge Jewellers in Auckland on November 28, minutes after the alleged theft. Authorities stated that officers were then stationed with the man around the clock, monitoring his every bowel movement until the evidence emerged on Thursday night.

A High-Stakes Waiting Game

A photograph supplied by New Zealand police showed a gloved hand holding the recovered pendant, still attached to its gold chain and price tag. A police spokesperson noted that both the man and the necklace would remain in custody. The suspect had his first court appearance on November 29 but did not enter a plea to the charge of theft.

The item at the center of this saga is no ordinary piece of jewellery. Key details include:

• Item: A limited-edition, Fabergé egg pendant inspired by the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
• Value: Appraised at NZ$33,585.
• Composition: Crafted from 18-karat gold, it features green enamel, 183 diamonds, and two sapphires. The egg opens to reveal a tiny gold octopus with black diamond eyes.

The plot of the film Octopussy itself revolves around a jewel-smuggling operation involving a fake Fabergé egg, adding a layer of cinematic irony to the real-life events.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Auckland district court again on December 8.