vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #546 / Crime watch / Reading article...

A large batch of contraband flowers from China were detained by Far Eastern Customs at a border checkpoint in southern Primorye, a press release from the customs reported Monday.

Primorye customs officers discovered the illegal floral goods when inspecting a KamAZ truck at the Poltavka checkpoint, in Oktyabrsky County. The examination of the cargo revealed that the truck contained more boxes with flowers than had been declared. The officers counted 299 boxes against 243 boxes.

Furthermore, the cargo contained 40,000 more roses than declared, and expensive orchids, chrysanthemums, carnations and lilies were in the packs instead of the declared, less valuable, decorative greenery for bouquets.

Overall, the cost of the under-declared shipment is estimated at more than two million rubles ($75,844). The illegal flowers have been placed into temporary storage, the statement said.

Currently, the Prosecutor’s Office is considering launching a criminal case against the shippers.