At Makhachkala Airport, customs officers found an undeclared antique diamond brooch worth about RUB 1 million on a 31-year-old Russian man who had arrived from Turkey via the “green” channel. Source: FCS Russia.
The piece was in a chest bag; the traveler said he was carrying it at someone else’s request.
Experts found the brooch is more than 50 years old, made of gold and silver alloys with cut diamonds, and classified as a cultural asset.
A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(1) of the Russian Criminal Code for unlawful movement of cultural valuables; penalties include up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to RUB 1 million.
The operation was conducted jointly with the Dagestan office of the Federal Security Service.
