Russian man carries 26,000 diamonds in airport

SOME 26,000 diamonds, worth at least $162,000 and contained in transparent plastic bags in hand luggage, have proved too much for the “nothing to declare” lane at a Moscow airport.

An unemployed, 37-year-old Russian man carrying the package from Dubai was detained on Sunday at the international Sheremetyevo airport, Russia’s federal customs service said.

The man, from the restive Dagestan region in Russia’s North Caucasus, said he was carrying the diamonds as a favour for a friend. It was not clear if he would face criminal charges.