Ukrainian customs officials thwarted an attempt to smuggle valuable antiques out of the country. During an inspection of a woman’s belongings, more than 200 coins from the 16th–18th centuries were discovered, all of which are of great historical and cultural value. This was reported by “Glavkom,” citing the Volyn Customs Office.
Incident at the Yagodin Customs Post
This incident occurred at the Yagodin customs post. A Ukrainian citizen traveling on the Kyiv–Chełm train attempted to smuggle 223 metal coins out of the country. Customs officers discovered them in cooperation with the Security Service of Ukraine’s Volyn Regional Office.
Thorough preparation for smuggling
According to customs officials, the woman had carefully prepared for the trip: she hid the antique coins in various pockets of her personal clothing, which was tightly packed in a suitcase.
“Volyn customs officers at the Yagodin checkpoint, in cooperation with representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine, apprehended a woman from Kyiv who was attempting to smuggle antique coins to Poland,” the statement reads.
Further Actions and Investigation
The entire collection was seized and sent for expert examination to determine the exact value and historical significance of the coins. Appropriate legal proceedings have been initiated regarding the concealment of goods from customs control.
“If the preliminary classification is confirmed during the pre-trial investigation, smuggling of cultural property is punishable by imprisonment for a term of three to seven years,” customs officials added.
