Customs officers at the Malko Tarnovo Customs Checkpoint found 1,257.93 grams of gold jewelry worth over BGN 100,000 in a factory cavity on a bus with passengers entering the country from Turkey. Pre-trial proceedings have been instituted, which are being conducted by an investigating customs inspector from the General Directorate “Customs Intelligence and Investigation”, under the supervision of the District Prosecutor’s Office – Burgas.
In the case, the District Prosecutor’s Office – Burgas detained for a period of up to 72 hours the Turkish citizen OS He is accused of illegally smuggling large quantities of commercial goods across the country – gold jewelry, cigarettes, perfumes and eau de toilette from various brands. The crime was committed on June 2, 2021 at the Malko Tarnovo border checkpoint. It is qualified under Art. 242, para. 1, p. “E” of the Penal Code. The contraband goods were found by customs officers who inspected the vehicle.
During the investigation, it was established that the accused was driving the bus with which the smuggled goods were transported. He and the passengers announced in the customs control zone that they had nothing to declare. During the subsequent thorough customs inspection, including with specialized X-ray equipment, the customs officers found in a factory cavity next to the tank of the bus a hidden polyethylene bag full of jewelry, divided into five packages wrapped in duct tape. The total weight of the discovered gold rings, medallions, bracelets, brooches and earrings is 1,257 kg, and their value amounts to BGN 105,666. During the inspection, 59 perfumes and eau de toilette with indications of world-famous brands were found and undeclared, as well as 600 short (30 boxes) cigarettes, without excise labels.
The District Prosecutor’s Office – Burgas is about to submit to the court a request for taking a measure of restraint “detention in custody” against the accused.
Source: Customs Agency
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