SOFIA, Feb. 4 (Xinhua) -- Bulgarian authorities in the port of Burgas have uncovered an attempt by a U.S. citizen to illegally import ancient coins, the National Customs Agency (NCA) announced on Tuesday.
The contraband was discovered on Jan. 28, when customs officers X-rayed a container delivered by ship.
The contents of the container were declared as a used passenger car and a used trailer from the United States, and the recipient of the cargo was an American citizen permanently residing in Bulgaria, the NCA said.
However, it was revealed that the container also held personal luggage in the car and in the trailer, and among these items a metal detector and a total of 113 antique, investment and collectible coins were found.
"The recipient of the vehicles in the container has confirmed in his written explanations that he was the owner of the metal detector and the coins, but cannot provide documents for them," the NCA said.
The smuggled coins have been seized and will be subject to expert examination, it said.
The investigation is ongoing. ■