Sheremetyevo customs officers found undeclared jewelry worth RUB 3.5 million on a foreign national who had arrived from Beijing, China. Source: FCS Russia.
During selective screening in the green channel, officers stopped a 50-year-old man. A metal detector led them to his jacket pocket, where they recovered three Messika rings, two pendants and five Van Cleef & Arpels bracelets, a Pasquale Bruni Petit Garden ring set with diamonds, and a TAG Heuer wristwatch the passenger removed at the officers’ request. His suitcase also held a Bvlgari Serpenti Viper bracelet and a Cartier Juste un Clou ring.
He told investigators he had carried the items at a friend’s request.
Forensic commodity examination confirmed the pieces were made of 750-standard gold with diamond and mother-of-pearl inlays; the watch was Swiss-made.
A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(1) of the Russian Criminal Code for smuggling strategically important goods; the penalty may include up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RUB 1 million.
