Russian customs intercept military cargo
bound for Eritrea
Moscow, 3 December, 2004:
A large set of contraband cargo of military designation has been seized by
customs staff at Moscow's Domodedovo airport, RIA-Novosti learnt at the press
office of the main directorate for the fight against contraband of the Federal
Customs Service today.
"While goods headed from Russia to Eritrea were being
inspected, the customs staff's suspicions were aroused by wooden boxes that
apparently contained radio parts," the press office said.
According to a Federal Customs Service spokesman, the boxes were
actually packed with 18 ultrashort wave radio transceivers, 48 sets of tank
communication helmets, 17 modern tank communications devices, 30 receivers and
other communication items used in armoured equipment. In addition, 137 parts of
tank antennas were found, as well as several sets of specialized cables and
switching units.
"An analysis confirmed that the equipment was of military
designation," the spokesman added.
It has been established that the smugglers were trying to export
the military cargo to Africa via a whole chain of intermediaries.
A criminal case has been opened under Article 188 of Russia's
Criminal Code (contraband).
Source: RIA news agency, Moscow, in Russian 1309 gmt 3 Dec 04
Unlimited, high
