N e w s

We say "gold" and mean "Magadan". In the Magadan region more than 300 deposit users were registered and only 100 of them are active. The region still keeps the reputation of the main currency workshop in the country. Fondragmet, the state enterprise was created which is supposed to collect gold from the gold-diggers, pay to them, and export the precious metal. Following the special decree of the Russian president this kind of export, and in the large volume, will be permitted to the Magadan region.

However, as the economic situation falls down in this specific field, the number of crimes related to the shady turnover of the "yellow devil" increases. Stable criminal groups act in the region, having the way out abroad. Basically, through the abstemious "path" from Ingushetia to Turkey. (Turkey, by the way, is one of the biggest exporters of jewelry articles made of gold to Russia).

Drugs and weapon are being transferred this way from abroad. Cocaine of high clearing has appeared on the black market of Magadan and that is the result of "ingushgold" - the name for the black market of this metal. This given name does not mean any preconceived attitude to people of Caucasian nationality. Maybe, that is why there is a difference of Magadan region from other regions by the reason of not existing the problem of international ethnic relations.

However, according to the Federal Security Service, from 1992 to 1998, 1500 "gold" crimes were uncovered by the regional police officials, about 2 tones of precious metal were seized, 300 people were called on account, and 70 of them were from Ingushetia.It was made up historically that people from Ingushetia happened to be on the edge of the the black market.

There is no way to arrest organizers and the inspirers of the black market as well as to stop completely the illegal turnover of gold. Experts suppose that at the oficial annual level of gold extraction in Magadan region of about 30 tones (it was actually fluctuating recently), 5-8 tones happen to be in the hands of the shady operators.

It seems that it should be impossible to take away gold from Magadan through the abstemious passenger and lagguge check-up at the only airport in the region. There is no equipment of a high sensitivity, but still people manage to it through the customs and not only inside the special belts.