The smugglers attempted to transfer the truckload of rare metals with an estimated value of six million euros into the EU, declaring it as a much cheaper metal, manganese, according to novosti.err.ee.

Instead of "unprocessed manganese" as stated in the customs declaration, the 80 barrels in the truck's cargo section bore the markings "molybdenum" and "tungsten."

Russian authorities have begun a criminal investigation.