Ukraine’s border guards thwart attempt to smuggle out batch of collectible coins
Ukrinform
At the Krakivets checkpoint on the border with Poland, a collection of valuable coins, some dating back to the 18th century, was found in a bag of what a minibus driver heading to Czechia claimed was children’s clothes.
That’s according to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports.
The report says the oldest coin in the batch was minted in 1748.
The driver claims he was only paid to haul the bag to the Czech Republic, being oblivious of the valuable content whose exports are restricted.
Border guards seized the coins for further expert examination.
As Ukrinform reported earlier, customs officers on the border with Romania prevented a violin with the inscription "Antonius Stradiuarius Cremomentis Faciebad Anno 1713" from being smuggled out of the country.
The illicit trafficking in cultural property is a criminal offense in Ukraine, punishable with up to seven years of prison time.
Photo: dpsu.gov.ua
