As a result of operative-searching and investigative activities carried out, representatives of Investigation Service of the Ministry of Finance of Georgia have seized, especially large amount of undeclared golden and silver goods – 40 kg in total, unprecedented during the whole period of existence of the Investigation Service.

On the above mentioned fact, representatives of the Investigation Service in coordination with representatives of customs department of the Revenue Service have arrested a citizen of Azerbaijan on breaching the procedure related to the movement of especially large amount of goods across the customs border of Georgia.

Investigation determined that the accused person was trying to import especially large amount of precious metal goods (36 kg gold and 4 kg silver) and spare parts of vehicles, without declaration, hidden from the custom control, across customs border of Georgia, through customs checkpoint “Sarpi”, in the hidden compartment of MERCEDES BENZ passenger bus.

Total market value of jewelry seized as a result of investigative activities, exceeds GEL 2 000 000, and total market value of the vehicle spare parts is GEL 19 700. At the current stage, commodity examination of the abovementioned goods is in proceeding. 

Investigation is underway under the second part of article 214 of the Criminal Code of Georgia, which envisages imprisonment from 5 to 7 years.

One of the main priorities of the Investigation Service is to suppress turnover of goods, imported through customs border of the country with violation of customs rules, by means of smuggling. It is an important issue for the economic development of the country, therefore the Investigation Service will continue to work actively towards this direction in the future as well.