Woman held at Düsseldorf Airport over undeclared gold and duck feet
Düsseldorf (ots)
Customs officers at Düsseldorf Airport made an unusual discovery in the luggage of a traveler arriving from China. The 46-year-old woman, who had flown from China via Dubai, was about to exit through the green channel for goods not requiring declaration when she was stopped by customs officials for a baggage inspection.
During the subsequent X-ray scan, officers noticed what appeared to be several pieces of gold jewelry in both her suitcase and carry-on bag, along with items resembling bones. When they opened her luggage, they first found ten different pieces of Dior jewelry—all accompanied by receipts from Dubai. But among the expensive necklaces and earrings, they also discovered the previously identified bones: 36 individually vacuum-sealed duck feet, which the woman had brought as a delicacy.
Due to the high value of the undeclared jewelry—totaling nearly €5,750—customs officials initiated criminal proceedings against the traveler on suspicion of attempted tax evasion. The duck feet were confiscated and slated for destruction, as the import of meat from non-EU countries is prohibited. After posting bail, the woman was allowed to continue her journey.
