If you want something doing, do it yourself. At least that's the motto of the fruit smugglers of Russia in 2016.
The local roads weren't up to much, and in fact were described as not usable for the large vans the smugglers were using. In fact the local country roads running from Russia through the Belarus border areas had been only passable by horse and cart traffic or smaller before.
The smugglers were bringing in daily loads of up to 175 tonnes of Greek and Polish fruit to Russia, following various embargo's on the import of foreign food stuffs by the Russian government. The daily convoy of trucks carried loads worth up to 13 million roubles (£154,000; $200,000).
So showing true grit and a large slice of entrepreneurial spirit, they set about making their own local road improvements to the road, which connects Moscow to the Belarussian capital of Minsk, and was known to be used by smugglers wishing to avoid official customs posts. The smugglers brought in heavy earth-moving equipment at night to "widen and raise the gravel track, and put in more turning and passing points" - and apparently not one local official saw a thing (well you wouldn't if you had been bribed would you?).
However, by chance customs officers ambushed a convoy of nine lorries near the small Russian hamlet of Klimenki, laden with the Greek and Polish fruit, and it was then that the new highway was 'officially discovered'. The local district administrator (who presumably hadn't been aware of what was going on), was forced to joke to the RIA Novosti news agency that he'd like to write their mysterious benefactors a "letter of thanks" for improving the road.
He was joined by Social media users "At least someone is maintaining our roads," one person wrote, a sentiment echoed in many other comments on RIA Novosti's site. Some even suggested that the smugglers should form a party to stand in parliamentary elections on a "Let our lorry through, and we'll fix your potholes" platform. Of course DIY road repairs are not unknown in Russia, but not normally by criminal gangs.
The road has remained under official surveillance since it became public knowledge that it was now passable by trucks. Oh, and the captured produce was subsequently destroyed, or so we are told.
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| Smugglers Road Better Than Many Local Roads |
The local roads weren't up to much, and in fact were described as not usable for the large vans the smugglers were using. In fact the local country roads running from Russia through the Belarus border areas had been only passable by horse and cart traffic or smaller before.
The smugglers were bringing in daily loads of up to 175 tonnes of Greek and Polish fruit to Russia, following various embargo's on the import of foreign food stuffs by the Russian government. The daily convoy of trucks carried loads worth up to 13 million roubles (£154,000; $200,000).
So showing true grit and a large slice of entrepreneurial spirit, they set about making their own local road improvements to the road, which connects Moscow to the Belarussian capital of Minsk, and was known to be used by smugglers wishing to avoid official customs posts. The smugglers brought in heavy earth-moving equipment at night to "widen and raise the gravel track, and put in more turning and passing points" - and apparently not one local official saw a thing (well you wouldn't if you had been bribed would you?).
However, by chance customs officers ambushed a convoy of nine lorries near the small Russian hamlet of Klimenki, laden with the Greek and Polish fruit, and it was then that the new highway was 'officially discovered'. The local district administrator (who presumably hadn't been aware of what was going on), was forced to joke to the RIA Novosti news agency that he'd like to write their mysterious benefactors a "letter of thanks" for improving the road.
He was joined by Social media users "At least someone is maintaining our roads," one person wrote, a sentiment echoed in many other comments on RIA Novosti's site. Some even suggested that the smugglers should form a party to stand in parliamentary elections on a "Let our lorry through, and we'll fix your potholes" platform. Of course DIY road repairs are not unknown in Russia, but not normally by criminal gangs.
The road has remained under official surveillance since it became public knowledge that it was now passable by trucks. Oh, and the captured produce was subsequently destroyed, or so we are told.
I sometimes wonder whether the criminal's motive is profit or being the most audacious criminal? Some criminals plainly have technical and organisational skills which could be put to good use without breaking the law. I wonder if the lack of risk and rule breaking in legitimate enterprise is a deterrent?
ReplyDeleteWell its a fact that outside of drug dealers (where such is the demand that even street numpties can turn over £50k+ pw), most criminals make very little. In fact if wasn't for the welfare benefit system underpinning their lifestyles, many thieves would have to get a job or starve. So its hard to see the motivation, but then some people are just naturally criminal by inclination.
DeleteNaturally criminal by inclination is an interesting thought. I wonder if that's why even in preschool classes some kids will take others belongings?
DeleteAn interesting thought. I suspect you need a psychologist to answer that one. Thanks for the comment.
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