8th April 2025, Skopje – Customs Administration carried out a successful operation preventing attempt of gold smuggling at Skopje Airport in the amount of half a million of Euro. At today’s press conference, Minister of Finance, Gordana Dimitrieska-Kochoska and the Director of Customs Administration, Boban Nikolovski, said that the respective operation represents a routine part of Customs Administration’s daily operations, demonstrating the commitment to tackling smuggling and trafficking of all kinds of goods.
“Customs Administration has shown unwavering resolve in tackling crime and smuggling. Alongside this operation, data showing a record two-digit figures of criminal charges filed on a monthly basis, ranging from 15 to 21 charges per month, from November last year to March this year also speak in favour thereof,” Minister stated.
These changes as promised, coupled by the actions we took, demonstrate that, with the right willingness, the institutions have the capacity to respond to their tasks as per the legal regulations. “In her opinion, this is the right path we should follow, and we should not succumb to any pressure while carrying out the assigned tasks, as stipulated by the legal regulations. The entire Government displays its strong will to establish order and build efficient and functional institutions, thereby creating a functioning system that meets the needs of citizens and businesses, thus demonstrating and proving our capacity to handle the challenges and create stable and improved living conditions in the country”, the Minister said.
Minister highlighted that, alongside combating crime, the Customs Administration has accomplished positive performance as regards the import duty collection, recording a 17% rise at the beginning of this year compared to the same period last year.
Pertaining to the operation carried out, Nikolovski reported that the customs officers at Skopje International Airport prevented a smuggling attempt involving gold jewellery in the amount of EUR 479,555 by two passengers, a married couple, arriving on a regular flight from Vienna to Skopje. As said, during the operation, one of the suspects was selected for a thorough customs inspection, whereby revealing that both of their suitcases were filled with empty jewellery boxes, with one of the suitcases belonging to the wife. Upon inspecting the hand luggage carried by the suspect’s wife, a substantial amount of undeclared gold jewellery was discovered, including several pieces adorned with diamonds and other precious stones. Specifically, the seized items included 89 gold rings weighing 599.2 grams, being worth EUR 203,169, 17 gold bracelets weighing 215.3 grams and valued at EUR 55,748, 23 gold chains weighing 107 grams and valued at EUR 39,260, 52 pairs of gold earrings weighing 238 grams and valued at EUR 97,258, 10 gold bracelets weighing 68.3 grams and valued at EUR 19,300 and 18 gold chains weighing 483.3 grams and valued at EUR 64,280, or a total of 209 gold jewellery pieces, weighing 1.711 kg.
As announced by the Director Nikolovski, criminal charges have been filed to the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office against two Belgian citizens, for perpetrating the crime of smuggling, punishable under Article 278 of the Criminal Code.
