MOSCOW, February 20. /TASS/. Employees of the Russian Federal Customs Service have prevented the smuggling of more than 140 kg of hashish worth over $3,962,000 (350 million rubles) on the black market, the agency's press service reported.
"Employees of the General Department of Anti-Smuggling of the Russian Federal Customs Service and the Central Customs Department have halted the large-scale smuggling of hashish. The officers seized more than 140 kilograms of the drug, the black market value of which is more than $3,962,000 (350 million rubles)," the press service said.
The cargo was transported in an empty truck, which arrived from Belarus under the control of a 43-year-old citizen of Belarus who had no documents for the vehicle, the agency noted.
During the inspection, customs officers discovered a hidden stash under the driver's sleeping area in the cabin. "It contained 150 polymer briquettes with a substance of dark brown color and a specific smell. The investigation established that the seized substance was a narcotic - hashish," the Russian Federal Customs Service specified.
A criminal case was opened on charges of large-scale drug smuggling. The maximum penalty for the offence in question is life imprisonment.