A batch of black caviar and crab worth 120 million rubles was detained in Moscow

According to TASS with reference to the Center for Public Relations (CSP) of the FSB of Russia, the border guards managed to close the interregional channel for the sale of marine biological resources of especially valuable species.

According to the DSP, more than 675 kg of black caviar, over 2 tons of king crab, crab products and undocumented scallops were confiscated by operatives in two cars. The drivers did not have documents confirming the legality of the origin of seafood.

The identities of the smugglers have been established, Kommersant writes. The names of the perpetrators have not yet been released.

The products confiscated from them were placed in a special warehouse. There it will be kept in custody.

A criminal case has been initiated under Art. 258.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Illegal extraction and trafficking of especially valuable wild animals and aquatic biological resources belonging to species listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation and (or) protected by international treaties of the Russian Federation”).

The sanction of the article provides for up to nine years in prison.

Earlier it was reported that until recently the catch of crab by private fishermen was under a strict ban. It was possible to buy a crab at a reasonable price only from the most daring poachers.

signed in July the law on the experiment to limit the export of red caviar from Kamchatka. From November 1, 2022, it will be possible to carry no more than 10 kg of “non-industrially produced” salmon caviar (without packaging and labeling) per 1 person in the luggage and hand luggage of the aircraft. According to the Rosselkhoznadzor, more than 500 tons of caviar are exported annually in this way.

The prices for caviar are cosmic, it is available only to the elites . Pressed black caviar in Moscow costs from 40 thousand rubles, stellate sturgeon caviar - from 100 thousand rubles, beluga caviar - from 150 thousand rubles.

The domestic fish industry is unable to either saturate the domestic market or send significant volumes for export. Russian companies last year produced 60 tons of black caviar, exported 5 tons of them, and imported (mainly from China) 24.1 tons. 30.5% of black caviar in Russia is imported.