Khaberni - The Swiss Federal Office of Customs and Border Security dismantled a widespread network for smuggling ancient jewelry between Italy and Switzerland, where the total smuggled gold reached 230 kilograms.
Investigations revealed that the largest amount (about 190 kg) of gold was secretly introduced over five months between 2021 and 2022, with tax evasion exceeding 600,000 Swiss francs, and three Italians were proven to be involved in smuggling that amount.
The investigations mentioned that one of them (56 years old) would collect the jewelry in northern Italy, then cross the border weekly through unmonitored points, and deliver them to two partners residing in Switzerland (66 and 35 years old) to sell it to a metal smelting company, which later had its license revoked.
With cooperation from the Italian authorities, the investigations uncovered additional subsidiary cases involving a further 40 kilograms of smuggled gold, with three more Italians residing in Switzerland proven to be involved.
The investigations identified that there are a total of six defendants, with due taxes of about 800,000 francs, and the penalties are still under consideration to determine their duration and fine.
