Endangered corals found in Novosibirsk tourist

Customs officers at Tolmachevo Airport in Novosibirsk found endangered corals in the luggage of one of the tourists who returned from the UAE. This was reported on July 7 on the website of the press service of the Siberian Customs Administration.

According to the published statement, these 22 corals were discovered using X-ray technology from a 59-year-old resident of Novosibirsk, who was passing through the "green corridor" (a special zone at border crossing points, which is intended for passengers who do not have goods to declare).

"The examination confirmed that the seized goods are derivatives subject to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Thus, their movement is possible only if there are permits and declarations," the press service said.

It is noted that during the year, customs officials identified 17 cases of illegal import of corals, seashells and other marine elements that may become extinct and are protected by international environmental law.

Two criminal cases were initiated on this fact under Part 1 of Article 16 ("Illegal movement of goods and (or) vehicles of international transportation across the customs border of the Customs Union") and Article 16.3 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation ("Non-compliance with prohibitions and (or) restrictions on the import of goods into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union or the Russian Federation").

On April 10, the Federal Customs Service (FCS) reported that a crocodile's head was found in the luggage of one of the tourists, which he was trying to smuggle into Russia in order to replenish his own collection. The man who owned the "souvenir" noted that he did not know about the need to provide a declaration for his find.