ST. PETERSBURG, November 6 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov) – A chief of a customs terminal of the Baltic Customs Service has been arrested on suspicion of taking bribes for providing a free importation channel for undeclared antiques from Europe, a statement of the Investigative Committee reads.

According to the North Western Customs Directorate, this position was occupied by Alexey Koksharov. A chief of the customs station’s special custom duties department, whose name is not disclosed, was arrested along with him.

Case papers read that a ferry vessel, coming from Helsinki, Finland, to St. Petersburg, illegally transported antiques from Europe, including objects possessing historical, archaeological and artistic value. Investigators claimed that smugglers gave bribes to customs for each consignment of undeclared goods.

Alleged bribegiver and two other customs employees were also arrested last week.

As part of the case, searches were conducted at suspects’ apartments and in several antiquarian shops of St. Petersburg.