A high-ranking official in the Russian power structures, who hasn’t been named, has told RIA Novosti how weaponry was smuggled abroad by Navy officers.

An attempt to smuggle Navy weaponry meant for disposal was uncovered by the Federal Customs Service on the border with Tajikistan at the end of February. It’s alleged that corrupt Navy officers tried to sell anti-submarine missiles and aviation bombs to China.

“According to the investigation all weaponry was taken out of the country by rail disguised as non-ferrous metals. Employees of the Federal Customs Service discovered the illegal weaponry at the checkpoint when they found that the cargo did not correspond to the accompanying documents”, the official is quoted by RIA Novosti as saying on Friday.

The source from the agency also comments that “the investigation has received data that along with the weaponry, spare parts and munitions for weapon systems were also smuggled abroad”. This information is also being studied and checked.

The state has allocated 1.6 million roubles ($US 44,600) for disposal of old weaponry from the Russian Navy by blowing it up. However, some of the Navy’s officers have decided otherwise. The missiles had been prepared for sale and were in a condition suitable for use.