A significant quantity of contraband items was discovered aboard a vessel traveling from Japan, including a large batch of smuggled cigarettes along with nutritional supplements and various clothing items. The discovery was reported by RIA News, citing Vladivostok customs authorities. The incident has prompted a formal review of the evidence and a potential criminal proceeding depending on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
The authorities estimate the total value of the seized goods at around 5 million rubles. The confiscated items are to be forfeited to the state as part of the enforcement actions that accompany the investigation. The next steps will determine whether charges will be laid against those responsible, and the case will move through the appropriate legal channels once the facts have been fully established.
During the inspection, operatives from the Vladivostok customs enforcement unit uncovered 240 cartons of cigarettes and 80 boxes containing consumer goods such as hygiene products, apparel, nutritional supplements, and edible items hidden within the ship’s ventilation shaft. The customs statement notes that three crew members failed to declare these goods and concealed them from customs control, a violation that triggers penalties and potential administrative or criminal consequences depending on the circumstances discovered during the inquiry.
Earlier this year, regional customs officers in Primorye reported the capture of 15 kilograms of sea cucumbers belonging to Chinese nationals, illustrating the ongoing efforts to curb illicit trade and protect consumer safety and national revenue. These operations reflect a broader pattern of vigilance aimed at deterring illicit cross-border movement of goods and ensuring compliance with import and export regulations across the region and its ports of entry.