Baikal customs agents stop Chinese mobile phone contraband

ULAN UDE, February 22 (Itar-Tass) - Customs agents in Russia's Baikal
region stopped the contraband of a large batch of mobile phones from
China. The customs agents also confiscated illegal listening devices.
"More than 420 mobile phones, almost 400 earphones to them, 260
chargers and three electronic devices with sim-card slots were found
hidden in a mini-bus, driven by a Chita resident from China through the
Zabaikalsk international checkpoint," spokeswoman for the Baikal customs
department Yulia Filippova told Itar-Tass on Tuesday.
"According to experts of the Federal Security Service, the electronic
devices turned out to be radio-microphones, intended for converting
acoustic signal into electromagnetic oscillations with subsequent
transmission via a radio channel. They can be used for obtaining
information without installing listening devices," Filippova said.
The detained Chita resident is a driver or a travel agency that
organizers Russians' trips to China.
He said his acquaintance in China, who runs a mobile phone retail shop
there, had asked him to take a batch of mobile phones to Russia for
remuneration. The driver claimed he had agreed because he had finanical
problems.
The Chinese entrepreneur had paid 150,000 roubles to compensate the
expenses on customs duties, but the ferrier attempted to take the entire
sum by concealing the merchandise from the customs officers.
Criminal proceedings were opened over contraband. The confiscated
mobile phones are likely to be counterfeit models, and the mini-bus driver
may face a tougher penalty, the spokeswoman said.