Armenian customs officers seize $500k in smuggled gold at airport

Armenian customs officers have thwarted an attempt to smuggle more than 3 kilograms of gold into the country through Zvartnots International Airport.

The State Revenue Committee reported on Tuesday that a dual Armenian-Russian citizen was placed under surveillance after officials received intelligence about a planned gold import from Russia. A search of the traveler’s luggage revealed four gold bars weighing a total of 3,137 grams.

The bars had been painted black and silver and hidden along the edges of a suitcase to resemble structural elements of the luggage. The suspect admitted in writing to the concealment method.

The estimated market value of the seized gold is about $500,000. Authorities are investigating the origin of the bars and whether proper documentation exists.

The case has been forwarded to Armenia’s Investigative Committee, which has opened a criminal probe into the incident.