”Alko Taxi” Delivers Drinks on Wheels

Finnish health authorities are launching an investigation into a business that delivers Estonian alcoholic beverages in Finland door-to-door.

For the past few weeks an Alko taxi, a van painted in a garish yellow, has been delivering Estonian alcoholic beverages to thirsty dwellers in the capital city region.

Customers place and pay for their orders online. To date some 50 orders—mostly in Helsinki—have been placed with this unconventional drink-dispensing service.

Vasili Visnapuu, who’s in charge of the cab's deliveries, says the business is legit as the alcoholic beverages are delivered for free and because the transaction occurs on the internet.

“It would be illegal to import alcohol for sale in Finland. The purchase is actually made in Estonia, we simply don’t charge for delivery,” says Visnapuu.

Finnish health officials are, however, far from thrilled by the new service.

Kari Paaso of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health says the Alko taxi is driving down a grey road.

“The law is quite unclear on this issue, which is why the parliamentary ombudsman has requested an inquiry on the matter," says Paaso.