US Stewardess to be Tried in Russia for Smuggling

The case against a U.S. stewardess who attempted to bring jewelry and watches to Russia without paying customs duties has been submitted to the Khimki City Court, Department of Investigation representative Tatyana Morozova said. According to investigators, Susanna Dikker, 50, a stewardess on a "well-known airline," arrived at the Sheremetyevo airport from New York. She crossed the border through the "nothing to declare" green corridor, but was then stopped for customs control. "A personal customs inspection revealed that the woman had jewelry on her person and an expensive watch worth over 8 million rubles ($250,000). Dikker thus attempted to evade 3 million rubles ($94,000) in customs duty payments," Morozova said. A criminal case was initiated for large-scale customs duty evasion. The maximum punishment is five years in prison. "The defendant has pleaded guilty to the offence in full," Morozova said. "Dikker was placed under house arrest. The criminal case has been referred to the Khimki City Court to be considered on its merits."

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