Deputy Minister of Finance: Customs officers have prevented a number of attempts to export certain equipment and food to Russia, but we cannot rule out something to be smuggled to Russia from or through our country

According to the Deputy Minister of Finance, Giorgi Kakauridze, the Georgian customs officers have prevented a number of attempts to export certain equipment and food to Russia.

"Risk management modules are developed on a daily basis, depending on the risks. The risks that the product sanctioned by different countries may enter the territory of Russia have been built into the relevant module. When this product is exported or transited, we investigate how it arrived on the territory of Georgia," he said.

However, according to him, no country has a 100% prevention of smuggling.

“We cannot rule out something to be smuggled to Russia from or through our country, not only during the war. If you have information that there are many such products in Russia, it would be good if you provide it to the relevant authorities, the customs service. I do not have such information. I have information on what the customs service did and what product it did not allow to be shipped," Kakauridze said, adding, “all the imported products that were made in the European Union and are banned from entering Russia are controlled.

When asked if all the cars that are now on Larsi are being checked, Kakauridze replied: "If you mean that we should search all the cars and see everyone's product, it is impossible."

"If you are telling me that someone falsified documents, this cannot be ruled out. I cannot name the companies, but European companies are also trying to use different ways and not only Georgia [to export products]. It is impossible to say that such a cargo will never enter Russia. The US Customs Service sees very well how our Customs Service operates, we have exchanged information about it. The UK financial sector also has very good oversight. Trust me, legal sources are all in control," said Kakauridze.

According to him, something may enter the territory of Russia from Abkhazia, “but we cannot take responsibility for it.”