Customs officers detain Russian, Armenian smugglers at Vnukovo airport

The Russian Federal Customs Service has said that customs officers of the Vnukovo International Airport prevented an attempt of smuggling 225 kilograms of gold worth about 800 million roubles ($13.5 million).

“Six couriers, citizens of Russia and Armenia, tried to smuggle 45 gold bars out of Russia. The first group consisting of three people was supposed to fly to Armenia’s capital Yerevan with ingots in their luggage and carry-on baggage. The route was not chosen by chance. Armenia is a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and customs control is not mandatory for passengers,” Caliber.Az reports, referring to the Federal Customs Service.

“The second group of carriers was heading to Dubai (UAE). They tried to pass the customs control zone with empty suitcases as if they were tourists. Having met in the neutral zone of the airport, the criminals exchanged hand luggage to transport gold bars to Dubai, but they were detained by customs officers after boarding the plane,” the message said.

According to the message, three criminal cases of smuggling by a group of people upon the preliminary agreement were initiated. Foreign citizens have been taken into custody while the Russian citizens will face home arrest.