Presevo – According to a statement made by the Customs Administration, the customs officers at Presevo border crossing prevented a Greek citizen from illegally entering into Serbia more than 5 kilograms of silver jewelry, the worth of which is over 16,000 euros.  

The jewelry was found in the luggage of the said passenger, during a detailed control of the bus that runs between Greece and Serbia. 

The passenger said that he had bought the jewelry in Greece and that he intended to take it to someone in Belgrade, where he was to spend his vacation. Since the passenger in question is a foreign national, the Magistrates Court will deal with the case in accordance with an expedited procedure. 

At the same border crossing, a German national’s attempt to smuggle two turtles from the rank of “Geochelone Sulcata” protected species from Germany, via Serbia, into Turkey was thwarted.   The said turtle species is in high demand and is represented in the illegal trade of protected animals.

The German citizen packed both turtles in a box, which he placed in a trailer of his vehicle. When the customs officers discovered the animals, a he handed them a “CITES” permit, which is the essential document for protected species. As the permit had expired, both turtles were taken from him and handed over for further handling to the Inspectorate for Environmental Protection. The turtles will be cared for at the Palic zoo, while criminal charges will be launched against the German national.  

Source: Serbian Broadcasting Corporation, Jugmedia and Coordination Body