This article from Lithuania details a case where freight trucks were found trying to evade sanctions imposed on Russia by using double registration numbers. The trucks, identified as DAF models, were transporting fruits and vegetables from the Netherlands to the Russian Federation, despite documentation indicating a Lithuanian company was the official carrier. Both trucks were operated by drivers from Belarus, raising further concerns regarding the use of international shipping routes in contravention of sanctions.

During a customs inspection, authorities acted upon intelligence suggesting that the vehicles were actually being utilized within Russia. As a result, physical inspections of the truck cabins were conducted, bringing to light Russian registration certificates for the same vehicles that matched the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) of the trucks registered in Europe. This discovery underscores the complexities of enforcement in the face of attempts to bypass international regulations on trade with Russia.

Further investigations revealed that both trucks were equipped with different types of license plate altering mechanisms. In one instance, a more sophisticated system was identified that allowed the drivers to switch the Lithuanian registration plates with others at the push of a button inside the cabin. This article highlights the ongoing challenges faced by customs officials in policing trade regulations and the audacity of those attempting to outmaneuver the sanctions in place against Russia.