A man smuggles gold from Lebanon to Germany in statues of the cradle

Just before the Christmas celebrations, a man tried to smuggle gold hidden in statues of the nativity from Lebanon to Germany.

A spokesman for the customs authorities in the German city of Dusseldorf said today, Friday, that the 54-year-old man wanted to cross at Dusseldorf Airport through the exit designated for goods that do not require registration.

The spokesman added that when customs authorities examined these goods and the man's bag via x-rays, the x-rays showed jewelry hidden in figurines of the nativity in the man's bag.

When customs officers opened the statues, they found a total of 33 pieces of gold jewelry and gold coins weighing about 450 grams.

The authorities estimate its value at more than 15,000 euros.

The man also had 6,500 euros in cash.

"We have not found an invoice. We do not know whether the man bought the gold before he traveled or owned it before," the spokesman said, explaining that the man had already exceeded the maximum value of goods allowed to be transported without fees, which is 430 euros.

The spokesman stated that if the man had registered these goods before passing through, everything would have been fine, adding that the man would face criminal proceedings for tax evasion.

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