Officers of the Novorossiysk customs office stopped an attempt to import precious metals concealed in scrap metal, with the shipment valued at about RUB 1.5 million. Source: FCS Russia.
At the port of Novorossiysk, inspectors found 19 tonnes of circuit boards and microchips brought from Turkey by the head of a Nizhny Novgorod company engaged in scrap and metal-waste processing without proper customs clearance.
Laboratory tests confirmed platinum, gold and silver in the goods. The customs declaration did not disclose strategically important resources, and no permits were submitted, although the businessman was aware of import restrictions.
Novorossiysk customs opened a criminal case under Article 226.1(1) of the Criminal Code (illegal cross-border movement of strategically important goods on a large scale). The goods were seized and the case file with an indictment was sent to court.
The offender pleaded guilty. The article provides for a fine of up to RUB 1 million, compulsory labour or imprisonment for up to five years.
