Far Eastern customs officers intercepted smuggling of dressed pelts valued at RUB 6 million. Source: FCS Russia.
At the Blagoveshchensk border crossing, Far Eastern customs officers found 1,600 dressed sable and Barguzin chinchilla pelts in suitcases and backpacks carried by two foreign nationals. The shipment was valued at RUB 6 million.
The travellers produced no export documents and said they had agreed to transport the pelts for an unknown person in return for payment.
The detainees fully admitted guilt and are under house arrest. Khabarovsk customs opened criminal cases under Article 226.1 of the Russian Criminal Code (large-scale smuggling of strategically important goods by an organised group). The penalty may reach ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RUB 1 million.
Other persons involved are being identified. The operation was conducted jointly with the FSB Directorate for the Amur Region.
