North Caucasus customs stop gold scrap smuggling to Armenia

North Caucasus customs stopped attempted smuggling of gold scrap to Armenia. Source: FCS Russia.

At Mineralnye Vody airport, North Caucasus customs stopped the export of gold scrap valued at RUB 5.5 million: a 22-year-old Russian national carried chains, rings and parts weighing 1 kg in hand luggage bound for Armenia.

She said the metal was for making jewellery. Experts confirmed scrap and production waste containing 650 g of fine gold.

A criminal case was opened for preparation to commit an offence and smuggling of strategic resources. The operation involved the Kabardino-Balkaria FSB border directorate. A temporary ban on exporting precious-metal scrap applies from 28 May 2025 (Government Resolution No. 744).