Russian Authorities Thwart Meteorite Smuggling to Britain

Updated on: February 5, 2026 / 10:54 AM EST / CBS/AFP

Moscow — In a significant interception, Russian investigators have disrupted an attempt to smuggle a colossal fragment of meteorite to the United Kingdom, disguised as a garden ornament. This development was reported by the Federal Customs Service on Thursday.

The massive specimen, weighing approximately 2.8 tons, is believed to originate from the Aletai meteorite—a notable iron meteorite among the largest known to exist on Earth. A criminal investigation has been initiated by the prosecutors following this incident.

The strategically important cargo was discovered during checks on a sea container at the port of Saint Petersburg,” the customs service stated in their official announcement.

An image from a video shared by the Russian Federal Customs Service and Russia’s state-run TASS news agency showcases an official thoroughly inspecting what the agency has identified as a 2.8-tonne piece of the Aletai meteorite. This substantial fragment was intercepted at the port of Saint Petersburg on February 5, 2026, right before it was planned for smuggling to the United Kingdom.

When attempting to export it, it was misleadingly declared as a garden sculpture. However, a meticulous inspection revealed discrepancies in the declared information regarding the origin and value of the cargo,” the customs service elaborated.

Video footage depicts customs officers carefully opening a crate, revealing the rock’s gray and rugged surface. The fragment’s monetary worth is estimated to be around 323 million rubles, equivalent to $4.2 million. The statement did not disclose the individual or group behind the smuggling attempt, only that its destination was the United Kingdom.

Scientists have voiced ethical concerns about the commercialization of meteorites, emphasizing their significance for scientific research. These celestial stones are invaluable, providing crucial insights into the composition of the early solar system.

The Aletai meteorite was discovered in 1898 in western China and is estimated to be around 4.5 billion years old. While the exact timeline of its collision with Earth’s surface remains unclear, such meteorite landings continue to occur sporadically. The Aletai meteorite is similar in age to another meteorite that dramatically crashed through the roof of a home in Georgia, USA, last year, which was witnessed by dozens as a midday fireball traversing the sky.