Finland is not such a country of notorius drunks as some people think it is. Finns only drink at special cases of celebration. Special cases of celebration typically occur, when there is something to drink.
Alko Oy, the Finnish state monopoly selling alcoholic beverages, used to import bulk quality cognac from France to Finland by a tank truck. The tank was naturally sealed at departure and checked upon arrival, so that thirsty truck drivers and other people wouldn't pinch cognac during the transport. The brandy would then be bottled in Finland and sold through the rigidly controlled chain of outlets.
The seals of the brandy tank were always intact and there was no
fooling done to any part of the tank: it was tight and it did not
leak. But during every transport of a cognac tank, 10 litres of
decent, drinkable brandy vanished.
After transporting a number of truckloads and losing an equivalent number of 10 litre lots Alko Oy knew that somebody is stealing the brandy. Here you can see a picture of the tank truck.
The tank is of strong steel. There is only one hole in the tank, the hatch on top. The hatch is some 50 cm in diameter, and secured by eight strong bolts. At departure, the tank is filled with cognac to the level of 20 cm from the top of the tank. The hatch is sealed so that any tampering would be noticed. Upon arrival, all the cognac is pumped out by inserting a pipe through the opened hatch to the bottom of the tank. The amount of cognac is compared to the amount that was put it. 10 litres is missing.
How was the cognac stolen? Would you have been able to quench your thirst of this expensive drink, had you been handling the truck?
Published in Njet Problem! collection 1999-04-21.
