Customs seizes valuable violins at Costești
Two violins, believed to be of cultural value, were discovered during a customs inspection in Moldova.
The incident occurred at the Costești border crossing, when a minibus traveling from the UK, carrying passengers and unaccompanied luggage, underwent specialized checks.
During the vehicle inspection, the two violins were found in the luggage compartment.
The 29-year-old local driver is under investigation in connection with this case.
The musical instruments have been seized and are subject to confiscation.
The Customs Service states that the import and export of cultural artifacts must be declared in writing.
In a similar incident that occurred on December 9th, 2021, violinist Alexandra Conunova faced significant disruption after her violin was seized by Moldovan officials at Chisinau Airport. The €2 million Guadagnini "Ida Levin" violin was mistakenly identified as a Stradivari and suspected of being smuggled. Despite possessing a violin passport and a contract demonstrating the instrument was loaned, Conunova's travel and professional life were significantly impacted for over six weeks. The episode highlights the challenges musicians can face with border control and the importance of proper documentation for valuable instruments.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
