Gold-plated AK-47 studded with diamonds seized in Honduras

Mexico City: A gold-plated AK-47 assault rifle studded with diamonds was seized during a raid on a ranch reportedly owned by drug traffickers in Honduras.

Police said the rifle has an exclusive design and a fine carving, and could be worth at least $50,000.

An engraving on the weapon links it to a local drug gang that is allegedly connected to Mexico's Zetas cartel, they said.

Police also found over 30 other weapons, bullet-proof vests and 11 cars at the ranch, about 300 km from the capital Tegucigalpa.

Honduras, which has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, is a major conduit of cocaine-smuggling from South America to the US.

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