FSB Disrupts Gold Refining Lab in Yekaterinburg

FSB officers detained four Russians who organized an underground laboratory for the refining of precious metals in Yekaterinburg.

Consensus

Four Russian citizens were arrested in Yekaterinburg for operating an underground laboratory for refining gold and silver.
The laboratory used chemical methods to refine precious metals from secondary raw materials.
The refined metals were sent to the Moscow region for sale.
Over 800 kg of secondary raw material containing precious metals was seized.
Affinaged precious metals worth at least 13.3 million rubles were seized.
Criminal cases were opened under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Maximum penalty under this article is seven years in prison.
Authorities are investigating other individuals possibly involved in the illegal trade of precious metals and stones.

On December 9, a group was detained in Magadan Oblast for illegal trade of precious metals; about 70 kg of gold and silver in ingots were found stored in homes and vehicles. — vedomosti
The criminal case was filed for illegal trade of amber, nephrite, or other semi-precious stones, precious metals, gemstones, or pearls under Part 5 of Article 191. — kommersant
FSB previously dismantled an underground laboratory in the Moscow region where precious metals were processed for smuggling and money laundering. — vm