site.btaTwo Turkish Citizens Charged with Trying to Smuggle Jewelry Worth Over BGN 300,000

Two Turkish citizens have been charged with attempting to smuggle precious metal jewelry worth over BGN 300,000 at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint, the Haskovo District Prosecution Office said on Tuesday.

During a customs inspection, undeclared gold items with a total weight of nearly 700 grammes were found in a suitcase and a bag in a car driven by a 42-year-old man, who was travelling with his family. Silver rings, bracelets, earrings with a total weight of just over 11.71 grammes were found as well, with the total value of the items being over BGN 190,000. 

In the second case, gold jewelry was found in a belt around the waist of a 62-year-old man, who was traveling with 18 other passengers on a Turkish-plated bus. According to experts, the items are made of 14-carat gold with a total weight of 813 grammes and are worth BGN 120,000.

Both men have been released on a BGN 10,000 bail, the Haskovo District Court noted, adding that their international passports have been confiscated and a ban has been imposed on them to leave Bulgaria.