North Ossetia customs officers found antique bladed weapons in a vehicle entering from Georgia through the Verkhniy Lars checkpoint. Officers discovered 47 items dating from the 19th and 20th centuries in the SUV cabin.
The driver was a 40-year-old Russian national. Bags and packages contained bayonets, daggers, sabres, cleavers, swords, knives, a rapier and a ritual knife. The pieces were made mainly in the North Caucasus, the South Caucasus, Europe, Central and North Africa, as well as India and Japan. The consignment is valued at two million roubles.
The man said he had bought the items for a private collection and held no permits for their movement.
Expert examination confirmed they are cultural valuables. A criminal case was opened under Article 226.1(1) of the Criminal Code (large-scale illegal movement of cultural valuables), punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment or a one-million-rouble fine. The inquiry continues.
Import of cultural valuables requires written customs declaration on a passenger declaration form and an expert opinion on their status.
