Caviar Smuggling Attempt Foiled at Ukraine Moldova Border

During the customs control at the Palanca post on the border between Ukraine and Moldova, an illegally transported batch of caviar was found.

According to the Moldovan customs, a bus en route from Odesa to Chisinau with several passengers was checked by customs officers. During a detailed inspection of the luggage, 32 cans of caviar, weighing a total of 12.8 kg, were found that had not been declared.

Photo: Moldovan Customs

According to the customs service, the bus driver, a 52-year-old Ukrainian citizen, tried to hide the goods from control. A report was drawn up against him for violating customs rules. The caviar was seized and is subject to confiscation, and the bus driver himself may be fined or otherwise sanctioned.

Customs officials noted that violations of customs procedures, including illegal transportation of goods, always have serious consequences for both the offenders and the state, as such actions can lead to losses in the economy. Therefore, the customs continues to strengthen control over such transportation.

Earlier, customs officers uncovered an attempt to illegally export 597 tons of sunflower oil, which is estimated at more than UAH 26 million. The oil was being transported across the Ukrainian-Hungarian border in ten railroad tank cars. The entrepreneur from Odesa planned to export the products under foreign economic contracts with a Hungarian company as the buyer. However, when checking the legality of the export, customs officers sent a request to their foreign colleagues to confirm the authenticity of the transaction.

Intent also wrote that Odesa Customs replenished the region's museums with ancient finds that were discovered during attempts to illegally export them abroad.

Ірина Глухова