VIDEO: Diamonds Hidden in a Polyethylene Bag Inside an Elephant Figurine

The Western Customs Office of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia has reported a new case of customs regulation violation during February 2023.

Recently, a citizen arriving from Dubai to Yerevan, authorized by the organization, surrendered approximately 3367.2 carats of processed diamonds for temporary storage according to the accompanying documents.

When asked by the customs officer if there were other goods subject to declaration, the citizen stated that there were no such goods.

As a result, the customs body applied the form of customs inspection known as “Customs Visual Inspection.” Based on the analysis of the images from the visual inspection device, having reasonable suspicion regarding the transportation of goods subject to customs declaration, the customs officers from the Western Customs Office subjected the citizen's luggage to customs inspection.

As a result of the customs visual inspection of the luggage, transparent diamond-like stones weighing a total of 3 grams were discovered hidden in two polyethylene bags inside an elephant figurine.

Additionally, one transparent diamond-like stone weighing up to 1 gram was found concealed inside a polyethylene bag in the pocket of the citizen's jeans, along with a certificate of conformity for the precious stones hidden under the box of a toy car.

Upon inspecting the handbag, it was found that the citizen's wallet contained 2 polyethylene bags with transparent diamond-like stones weighing up to 4 grams in total.

A report was drawn up regarding the violation of customs regulations under Article 313 of the Law on Customs Regulation of the Republic of Armenia, which pertains to the transportation of goods subject to customs control across the state border of the Republic of Armenia, while concealing them from customs control, using concealed compartments, or in other ways that make the detection of the goods difficult or presenting the goods in another form. This violation, if it lacks the elements of a crime, results in a fine amounting to fifty percent of the customs value of these goods, but not less than one million dram.

To ensure further proceedings in the administrative case, the materials have been sent to the Legal Department of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia.