At the Zabaykalsk border checkpoint, Chita customs officers seized a gold bar worth more than RUB 3.4 million from a foreign national travelling to China by bus. Source: FCS Russia.
The traveller insisted he was not carrying goods subject to written declaration. Confused answers, restless gestures and obvious agitation led inspectors to doubt his statement.
A personal search revealed a roughly 300-gram black-and-yellow metal bar on his neck. He said he had bought it in China and wore it as jewellery.
Testing confirmed the bar contained 297 grams of gold.
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.
