One of the largest auctions of seized smuggled precious metals will be held under the auspices of the Customs Territorial Directorate of Burgas, the Regional Press Center of the Customs Agency in Svilengrad announced. The auction is a public sale through a secret bid of an impressive quantity of over 87.816 kg of gold and silver articles. These valuable items were confiscated during attempts at illegal importation through the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint between 2016 and 2022.
The announcement of the auction attracted significant interest in the industry, as such large-scale auctions are extremely rare. The confiscated goods are divided into 17 separate groups, which makes it easier for potential buyers to navigate the variety of items. Among them are not only classic gold and silver jewelry such as rings, chains, pendants, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets but also gold coins, bars, and even a collection of precious stones.
How the smuggled valuables were hidden
A report from customs authorities indicates that smugglers showed exceptional inventiveness in their attempts to transport the valuable metals. Some of the confiscated items were hidden in specially constructed caches and factory cavities of vehicles, while others were worn directly by passengers. Here are some of the most striking cases included in the auction:
One of the most striking cases included in the auction is that of three men who tried to transport over 11.904 kg of gold jewelry, taped as belts around their bodies. They were stopped upon entering the country from Turkey, traveling by minivan to Ukraine. In another case, customs inspectors found 5.325 kg of gold and silver jewelry, cleverly hidden in the handbag and underwear of a female passenger on a bus traveling from Turkey to Romania through Bulgaria.
In addition to the jewelry, the auction includes precious stones of various carats, confiscated in favor of the state. These include natural diamonds, topaz, sapphire, and brilliants, which further increases the value of the lots on offer.
Conditions for participation in the auction
The Customs Directorate of Burgas emphasizes that to participate in the auction, buyers must have a valid permit to conduct transactions with precious metals and precious stones. In addition, winning participants who acquire goods with a non-union customs status will also have to pay the due duties and value-added tax (VAT). This is a standard procedure that guarantees the legality of the transactions. Customs authorities expect the auction to attract a wide range of interested individuals and companies from the jewelry industry, as well as collectors who wish to acquire unique items.