At Blagoveshchensk border crossing, customs officers found “gold worth RUB 2.5 million” hidden in a passenger’s shoes, the FCS Russia press office says.
A 44-year-old foreign national was travelling to Heihe (China). Following a tip from law-enforcement units, an inspector on passenger control noted a metal detector alert on the man’s trainers; scrap jewellery was found under the insoles.
Testing identified 585-grade gold and silver totalling 215.7 g and 17.60 g; the combined value is put at RUB 2.5 million.
The man said a stranger paid him to carry the metals; he knew declaration was required but deliberately concealed them in footwear.
A criminal case was opened under subparagraph “v”, part 2, Article 226.1 of the Criminal Code (illicit movement of strategically important goods by a group); the penalty may reach ten years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to RUB 1 million.
Other suspects are being identified; the inquiry is conducted jointly with the Amur Region office of the Federal Security Service.
