Diamonds worth UAH 17 mln: Boryspil border guards bust smuggler (Photo, video)

Operatives with the Boryspil border guard unit have initiated a thorough customs check of a Ukrainian woman who arrived from Dubai on December 2.

The law enforcers had received a tipoff from a confidant, a source in the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine has told UNIAN.

The joint inspection group consisting of customs officials, border guards, and the SBU security service operatives, have found 38 packages of diamonds that the passenger failed to file in the customs declaration.

The total weight of precious stones seized amounts to over 50 grams, the border agency reported on its website.

The tentative cost of the batch stands at around UAH 17 million (almost US$600,000).

Further investigative actions are underway.

The smuggler will be brought to responsibility for violating customs rules.

Smuggling: Other reports

• Zelensky says smugglers ready to "rock" Ukraine for another two to three years
• Expert estimates smuggling in Ukraine at US$12 bln annually
• Border guards: Man forges diplomatic ID, packs van with cigarettes, attempts to cross out to Hungary
• SBU prevents warship equipment smuggling attempt to Russia
• Smuggled cigarettes worth over US$700,000 seized in Odesa seaport