A truck carrying 18 tons of illegal Lithuanian cheese was detained in the Moscow region, according to the Federal Customs Service.
Documents indicated that the vehicle, listed as a TIR transit through Russia to Kyrgyzstan, diverted from its intended route and returned through the Samara region. The truck, whose license plates had been altered, then proceeded toward the Moscow region, where the cargo was handed off to a second vehicle bearing Russian plates.
Customs officers tracked the errant vehicle, detained it, and redirected it to Moscow customs for further processing. The cargo was described in the agency’s statement as DORBLUE WHEEL 50% hard cheese, with the party’s value exceeding €16,000.
Officials noted that a portion of the blue cheese was forwarded to Rosselkhoznadzor for a formal decision on its status.
Earlier this March, Chelyabinsk customs officials reported stopping a truck carrying 17 tons of nasvay near the border checkpoint with Kazakhstan, illustrating ongoing efforts to curb illicit shipments and enforce border controls.
In both cases, authorities emphasized strict monitoring of cross-border freight, the interception of vehicles suspected of bypassing routes or altering documentation, and the involvement of relevant supervisory agencies to determine the fate of the suspect cargo. The incidents underscore the vigilance of authorities in ensuring compliance with import regulations and the safety standards required for imported goods, including dairy products and tobacco-related items, across Russia and its neighboring regions.