Sanctions-avoidance bid uncovered by customs
Lithuanian customs officers in the city of Kaunas have discovered what they describe as a “particularly audacious” scheme to circumvent sanctions against Russia.
A total of 11 people have been detained on suspicion of violating the regime of international sanctions against Russia, over a ‘complex shadow scheme’ involving water-treatment equipment for Russian oil-industry enterprises.
The investigation was carried out between Portugal and Bulgaria and in co-ordination with Eurojust and Europol.
The recipient of the Kaunas company's goods was a company from Portugal.
The goods were sent to Bulgaria, however, and on through Turkey to Russia.
'Specific industrial facilities'
"The water-purification equipment was designed, assembled and manufactured from components produced in the EU and China.
“This equipment was intended for specific industrial facilities in Russia. The Kaunas company itself, which has close and permanent relations with economic entities operating in Russia, actively participated in projects realised in Russia.
“One of such projects is related to a Russian group of companies, which is among the world's fastest-growing petrochemical companies," the official statement said.
Employees detained included managers and drivers who are Moldovan and Bulgarian citizens.
Equipment worth about €2 million was also seized.
Two trucks were seized – one in Kaunas, and the other en route to the Lithuanian-Polish border.
A third consignment was detained in Bulgaria.
The suspects were released, after giving an undertaking not to leave the country.