German Man Caught Smuggling Gold Bars in Russia
Russian authorities have opened a criminal case against a German accused of trying to smuggle in 13 kilogrammes (28.5 pounds) of gold bars hidden in a camper van, custom officials said on Monday.
The 58-year-old, who was not named, faces up to five years in prison and a fine, Russia’s customs service said.
Discovery of Gold Bars
“After scanning the vehicle… inspectors noticed rectangular briquettes. Smaller bars were also found in the luggage among personal belongings,” it said.
The value of the gold bars exceeds 90 million rubles (900,000 euros, $1 million), they added in a statement, releasing photos showing gold bars of various sizes.
The van was stopped in the Pskov region, which borders Belarus, Latvia, and Estonia. But the customs service did not say where the German is now.
Recent Cases of Westerners Arrested in Russia
In recent years, several Westerners, particularly Americans, have been arrested in Russia and charged with serious offenses.
Washington has accused Moscow of arresting US citizens on baseless charges to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of Russians convicted abroad.
On August 1, Russia freed US reporter Evan Gershkovich, former US Marine Paul Whelan, and 14 others in its biggest prisoner swap with the West since the Cold War.
bur/tw
Additional Insight:
Smuggling precious metals like gold is a serious offense in many countries due to the value of the commodity and the potential for illicit activities associated with it. It is essential for customs officials to remain vigilant and thorough in their inspections to prevent such illegal activities.
