A 52 kg cargo was found in the possession of a 56-year-old man at the Pokrovka checkpoint, the Federal Customs Service of Russia reports. The rare item was packed in 10 cardboard boxes, which he gave to people to help smuggle it across the border. There was no declaration of the lichen and there were no permits for its export.

A 52 kg cargo was found in the possession of a 56-year-old man at the Pokrovka checkpoint, the Federal Customs Service of Russia reports. The rare item was packed in 10 cardboard boxes, which he gave to people to help smuggle it across the border. There was no declaration of the lichen and there were no permits for its export.

The test confirmed that the boxes contain edible navel - an endangered species of lichen, the export of which from Russia is strictly limited. The market value of the seized goods is estimated at almost 1.2 million rubles.

Now the man faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to one million rubles. He is now in custody.

Photo: Federal Customs Service of Russia.