I had an antique shop in Falmouth in the 80s when Russian fish processing ships used to moor in the bay for several weeks at a time. Parties of sailors were allowed on shore accompanied by a political commissar who was supposed to keep an eye on them. I'd quite often get a couple come into the shop to sell me stuff from under their coats, while another kept a look out for the commissar at the door. I often bought old Russian silver coins from them, but I gave the ikons a miss as most of them were apparently modern fakes. I also once bought a tin of caviar - the first time I had sampled the stuff.