The Finnish newspaper Uutissuomalainen has reported that a bus company which provides services between Tallinn and Riga to Russia has been smuggling goods subject to sanctions through the Luhamaa border crossing point, the Estonian daily Postimees has written.
The Finnish newspaper was contacted by a driver who asked for anonymity, but said that the smuggling is happening with the clear knowledge of the company. Its identity has not yet been made clear.
The bus driver claimed that the company receives substantial amounts of money to smuggle the goods, and drivers always receive a small commission. He added that the bus travels via the Luhamaa border crossing point to St Petersburg, where the goods are unloaded with minimal border controls and Russian customs officials who are always ready to take bribes.
The goods are loaded onto buses in Tallinn and Riga. Some come from Finland, including parts from Finnish companies. The whistleblower says that mostly these are spare parts for buses and lorries, but also computers, smartphones and even spare parts for aeroplanes.
The worst thing, according to the driver, is that he and his colleagues are forced to transport contraband whether they wish to do so or not.
Information at the Riga Coach Terminal shows that operators which offer passenger services to St Petersburg include Lux Express Estonia, VISSA, and Norma A, which operates under the Ecolines brand name.
Lux Express told the LETA news agency that it runs a route to St Petersburg via the border crossing at Narva and not Luhamaa.
Source: BNS
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