Customs officers seized 1.8 kg of smuggled gold jewellery

Customs officers at Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint seized 1.8 kg of smuggled gold jewelry worth BGN 165 438, the press office of the Bulgarian Customs Agency reported on August 3.

On August 2, 2022 a passenger car of Bulgarian registration was arriving at the checkpoint on its way from Turkey to Bulgaria. The driver and the five passengers - Bulgarian citizens declared that they were not carrying goods for declaration.

"The vehicle was selected for a thorough customs inspection, during which 24 polythene envelopes containing articles of yellow metal were found in a factory cavity in the front passenger seat. On personal examination of the driver, 3 transparent envelopes also containing articles of yellow metal were found in his underwear. According to the expert's examination, the jewellery found had a total weight of 1838.20 grams and a value of BGN 165 438," the customs said.

Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated in the case by an investigating customs inspector under the supervision of the Haskovo District Prosecutor's Office, and a pre-trial detention order has been taken against the driver with the initials S.V., as well as a ban on leaving the country, except with the permission of the supervising prosecutor.

The customs agency recalled that a few days ago nearly 3 kg of gold and silver jewelry were found hidden in a specially built concealment on a bus. Since the beginning of the year, customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing have seized nearly 83 kg of precious metal products.