Domodedovo airport customs officers stopped an attempt to smuggle 19th-century coins into Russia and prevented the illegal import of cultural valuables from Turkmenistan. The offender was a 27-year-old Russian national.
The traveller was stopped in the green channel during selective control. X-ray screening of his suitcase revealed 24 white-metal coins of various sizes, denominations and mint years. He said the coins were inherited and that he was unaware of permit and declaration requirements.
Expert examination found that 19 coins are cultural valuables; some were minted more than 200 years ago in the Russian Empire.
An administrative case was opened under Article 16.2(1) of the Code of Administrative Offences (failure to declare goods). The coins were forfeited to federal property and transferred to the Ministry of Culture of Russia.
