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Russian Police Get Tough on Illicit Cheese Russian Police Get Tough on Illicit Cheese
(about 3 hours later)
MOSCOW — One of Russia’s tabloid TV channels began a news bulletin Tuesday with a breathless report about a major “international criminal gang” freshly rolled up in the Moscow region. MOSCOW — One of Russia’s tabloid TV channels began a news bulletin Tuesday with a breathless report about a major “international criminal gang” freshly rolled up in the Moscow region.
The report included typically jerky shots from an overnight police dragnet — officers in combat fatigues and black balaclavas frisking suspects who were spread-eagled against vehicles or pinned to the ground.The report included typically jerky shots from an overnight police dragnet — officers in combat fatigues and black balaclavas frisking suspects who were spread-eagled against vehicles or pinned to the ground.
Ample evidence was on display, too: giant warehouses and transport trucks stacked with the gang’s shrink-wrapped contraband.Ample evidence was on display, too: giant warehouses and transport trucks stacked with the gang’s shrink-wrapped contraband.
Heroin? Marijuana? Weapons? Nope. More like Edam. That’s right. Cheese.Heroin? Marijuana? Weapons? Nope. More like Edam. That’s right. Cheese.
When the Russian government banned dairy products from a host of nations, including the United States and members of the European Union, last year in response to Western economic sanctions imposed over Russia’s military meddling in Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin said the restrictions would create a profitable opportunity for domestic industries.When the Russian government banned dairy products from a host of nations, including the United States and members of the European Union, last year in response to Western economic sanctions imposed over Russia’s military meddling in Ukraine, President Vladimir V. Putin said the restrictions would create a profitable opportunity for domestic industries.
Instead they appear to have created an opening for forgers and smugglers. The “cheese ring” was busted with an estimated $30 million worth of the stuff, nearly 500 tons, according to the Interior Ministry police.Instead they appear to have created an opening for forgers and smugglers. The “cheese ring” was busted with an estimated $30 million worth of the stuff, nearly 500 tons, according to the Interior Ministry police.
The cheese was produced locally with Western rennet, an enzyme base used in cheese production that is now banned in Russia. The “criminal gang” had been peddling its illicit cheese since March, according to a police statement, selling it to supermarket chains and other distributors in and around Moscow and St. Petersburg.The cheese was produced locally with Western rennet, an enzyme base used in cheese production that is now banned in Russia. The “criminal gang” had been peddling its illicit cheese since March, according to a police statement, selling it to supermarket chains and other distributors in and around Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The police raided 17 sites, including residences and warehouses, the statement said, and arrested six people, who are to face charges of fraud and other crimes.The police raided 17 sites, including residences and warehouses, the statement said, and arrested six people, who are to face charges of fraud and other crimes.
The raids were part of a new government effort to make sure that the ban is respected — and a tacit admission that it had been subverted. The government also opened a hotline on Tuesday, encouraging Russians to snitch on suspected food scofflaws, and it generated more than 50 calls the first day, the prosecutor general’s office announced.The raids were part of a new government effort to make sure that the ban is respected — and a tacit admission that it had been subverted. The government also opened a hotline on Tuesday, encouraging Russians to snitch on suspected food scofflaws, and it generated more than 50 calls the first day, the prosecutor general’s office announced.
About two weeks ago, tons of cheese, fruits and other goods were either burned or buried on the orders of Mr. Putin.About two weeks ago, tons of cheese, fruits and other goods were either burned or buried on the orders of Mr. Putin.
That prompted some applause, but also grumbling that the food should have been donated to the poor in a country where food prices have doubled, and in some cases tripled, because of sanctions and the nose-diving value of the ruble. That prompted some applause, but also grumbling that the food should have been donated to the poor in a country where food prices have doubled, and in some cases tripled, because of sanctions and the nosediving value of the ruble.
The latest cheese bust produced mostly giggles across social media, with one commenter noting that during American Prohibition in the 1920s and early ’30s, smuggling liquor become a lucrative industry that spawned the word “bootlegger.”The latest cheese bust produced mostly giggles across social media, with one commenter noting that during American Prohibition in the 1920s and early ’30s, smuggling liquor become a lucrative industry that spawned the word “bootlegger.”
The writer mused whether there was such a thing as a “cheeselegger.”The writer mused whether there was such a thing as a “cheeselegger.”