Sheremetyevo customs seized undeclared jewellery worth more than RUB 9.2 million from a foreign air passenger arriving from Shenzhen, China. Source: FCS Russia.
Officers stopped the 38-year-old man on the green channel for selective screening. A metal detector located five rings, a pendant and two figurines (a heart and a ram) in an inner jacket pocket; the suitcase held fan-shaped earrings, another pendant, two pagoda figurines, a bracelet, a necklace and Gem Research Center certificates — 14 pieces in all, each in a zip bag.
He said he had come to Moscow to pay a fine and planned to take the jewellery with him when leaving Russia, claiming he was unfamiliar with customs rules.
Expert examination found the items were made of 750 gold and 950 platinum with inserts of diamonds, rubies, sapphires, corundums, chrysolite, turquoise, tourmaline, spinel and zircon.
Opening a criminal case under Article 226.1(1) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (smuggling of strategically important goods) is under consideration. The sanction provides for imprisonment of up to five years or a fine of up to one million roubles.
