The gray stone fragment weighing over 2.5 tons, from the world-famous Aletai meteorite, was found during an inspection of a container in the port of St. Petersburg. It had been declared a garden sculpture.
The meteorite, discovered in western China in 1898, is at least 4.5 billion years old. According to Russian customs, its value is estimated at the equivalent of almost 38 million kronor.
Scientists have warned of ethical problems with the trade in meteorites, which are important for research into the early history of the solar system. A criminal investigation has been launched.
