A Russian citizen attempting to smuggle 26,000 diamonds, worth a staggering USD 162,000, into the country has been arrested at the Moscow airport.
The diamonds with a total weight of 66 grammes (830 carats) have been confiscated by the Customs officials at the Moscow Sheremetyevo international airport.
The passenger arrived here on a flight from Dubai, however, his identity has not been revealed.
He stashed the undeclared diamonds of various shapes and colours in Apple iPhone 5 boxes 'RIA Novosti' reported.
"The experts roughly estimate the value of the diamonds at 5 million roubles (about USD 162,000)," the Customs press service said.
"The detained passenger said the cargo belongs to his acquaintance who simply asked him to deliver it to Moscow," the statement said.
According to the report, the confiscated diamonds have been sent for further evaluation.
All goods with a total value over USD 13,000 are subject to customs duties and must be declared upon entering the country, according to the Russian rules.
