Russian Smugglers Building Vodka Pipeline

The police found the pipeline, submerged in a lake near the town of Neva.

A group of Russian smugglers are accused of building a 'vodka pipeline' across the border between Russia and Estonia.

The smugglers are said to have built the two kilometre pipe and used it to pump 6,200 litres of spirits from Russia before getting caught. Vodka is much cheaper in Russia than Estonia - which is part of the EU - and can cost as little as £2 a bottle.

Eleven men, both Russian and Estonian, have been charged. The bust was made when police found the pipeline, submerged in a lake near the town of Neva.

Prosecutors said the men had already tried to offload a large amount of vodka in November 2004, but could find no buyer as the quality was too poor.