Estonian Ministry: No Evidence of Organized Crime Behind Queue Trade at Narva Border

Estonia's Interior Ministry acknowledges the practice of selling places in the pedestrian queue at the border with Russia in Narva, but has not found evidence that it is run by an organized criminal group. Interior Minister Igor Taro stated this in response to a written inquiry from MP Aleksandr Chaplygin.

According to Taro, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) are aware of the queue place trading near the Narva checkpoint. However, the ministry notes that the queue forms spontaneously in public urban space, and there are no specific rules regulating its organization. Police monitor the situation from the perspective of public order and safety and intervene in case of conflicts or other violations.

Taro said that police check any information that may indicate organized crime. If there are reports of threats, extortion, or other crimes, they are investigated, and proceedings are initiated if warranted. However, so far there is no confirmation that the sale of places is carried out by an organized criminal group that obtains illegal income through threats or violence.

According to police data, in 2025 there were 46 reports of place selling in the queue on Peter's Square in Narva – an average of about four per month. In 2026, there were 16 such reports, roughly two to three per month. Reports of public order disturbances near the border totaled 62 in 2025 and 17 in 2026. The ministry emphasizes that not all are directly related to the border queue.

Over the past two years, police received seven reports of possible offenses. Two involved crimes such as theft or assault. Five others involved damage to property, public drinking, failure to comply with police orders, or insulting officers. However, no proceedings were initiated specifically for queue place sales; situations were resolved on the spot by removing sellers from the queue.

Responding to a question about the need for a permanent police presence near the checkpoint, Taro explained that the law does not require police to organize the pedestrian queue forming in public space. The PPA is responsible for public order and uses risk-based patrolling. A permanent fixed post at the queue location is considered neither expedient nor proportionate. In case of conflict or threat of violence, citizens are advised to call 112.

In conclusion, Taro reiterated his support for the Foreign Ministry's recommendation to avoid all travel to Russia. The PPA will continue to maintain order near the border through risk-oriented patrolling and incident response.