Citizen of Kyrgyzstan caught smuggling 1.8 million rubles from Russia to Uzbekistan

At Novosibirsk's Tolmachevo Airport (Russia), customs officers found 1.8 million rubles on a passenger flying to Uzbekistan. A service dog helped discover the money.

Photo: Siberian Customs Administration

"A 24-year-old citizen of Kyrgyzstan, in the customs control zone before his flight to Fergana, chose the 'green corridor.' By doing so, he declared that he had no goods or currency subject to customs declaration," stated the Directorate.

According to customs, nearly 1.8 million Russian rubles were found in the passenger's luggage. The detection was aided by a canine handler and a service dog.

An administrative offense case has been initiated against the man under Article 16.4 (failure of individuals to declare cash) of the Administrative Offenses Code of the Russian Federation. The illegally transported cash has been confiscated, and the court will decide on the matter.

According to Russian law, cash exceeding the equivalent of $10,000 must be declared.