10 Wild Things Smuggled into Authoritarian Countries

When you think about smuggling, drugs and weapons might come to mind. But throughout history, all sorts of items have been smuggled, especially into authoritarian countries eager to control what their citizens can access. These regimes often ban things arbitrarily, but determined smugglers always find a way. Here are ten fascinating examples of items smuggled under the noses of some of history’s strictest regimes.

A Letter from the Pope

In 1937, Pope Pius XI decided to challenge the Nazi regime. He published an encyclical, a letter intended for wide circulation, largely written by his successor, Pius XII. Titled “Mit brennender Sorge,” or “With Deep Anxiety,” the letter was a clear condemnation of the Nazis, even mocking their “superficial minds.” To avoid interception, the letter was smuggled into Germany. 300,000 copies were printed and secretly delivered to churches just before Palm Sunday. An estimated 20 million German Catholics heard it read aloud during mass that morning, a bold act of defiance against Nazi control.

The Lithuanian Language

In the late 19th century, Tsarist Russia tried to eliminate the Lithuanian language after taking control of Lithuania. They banned Lithuanian writings, but Lithuanians in Prussia and the U.S. resisted. They published around three million books and papers in Lithuanian. Every year, about 40,000 of these were smuggled into Lithuania. Smugglers risked torture and exile, sailing or swimming across the River Nemunas with up to 80 pounds of books. They hid the books in hay, furniture, and even coffins. Their bravery is credited with saving the oldest surviving Indo-European language.

A New National Anthem

During the Nazi occupation of France, the Nazis banned “La Marseillaise,” the French national anthem. In response, French Resistance leaders created a new anthem. Emmanuel d’Astier, an exiled Resistance leader, heard Anna Marly singing an old Russian tune and thought it would be perfect for resistance lyrics. The result was “Le Chant des Partisans.” Resistance radio stations and the BBC broadcast the song. Newspapers printed the music and lyrics, and the British Royal Air Force smuggled copies into France. The song became a powerful symbol of resistance and was briefly adopted as a national anthem after the war.

The Beatles’ Records

The USSR also banned music it didn’t approve of, including The Beatles. The British group was labeled “capitalist pollution.” But Beatlemania still made its way into Russia. Smugglers developed a unique method: pressing music onto x-ray film using adapted record players. These homemade records, known as “music on the bones,” were a creative way for Soviet citizens to enjoy forbidden music, despite the high cost of smuggled vinyl records.

Jesus of Nazareth

Under Nicolae Ceaușescu’s dictatorship in Romania, “foreign ideas” were banned, including religious content. The film “Jesus of Nazareth” was smuggled into Romania in 1977. Athletes, pilots, and sailors who were allowed to leave the country brought back VHS tapes and records. These were distributed through underground networks, with secret screenings held in living rooms. This act of cultural defiance provided a much-needed distraction from the oppressive regime.

Squid Game

North Korea continues to strictly enforce its ban on foreign ideas, known as the “Law on the Elimination of Reactionary Thought and Culture.” In 2021, a student who smuggled copies of the South Korean series Squid Game into the country on a flash drive was sentenced to death. He had sold copies to other students, but the censors found out. Those who bought the film were interrogated and faced imprisonment or hard labor, highlighting the extreme measures taken to suppress foreign media.

The Internet

Authoritarian countries face a huge challenge with the internet. It’s nearly impossible to completely block access to censored materials. Iran, for example, has a “kill-switch” to shut off the internet. Satellite internet, like SpaceX’s Starlink, can bypass censorship. Although Iran forbids satellite receivers, activist groups reportedly smuggled hundreds of Starlink receivers into the country by 2022. This allows them to organize protests and share information about the regime’s actions with the world.

Computer Chips

Sometimes, items are smuggled into authoritarian countries because the country of origin restricts trade. Since 2022, the U.S. has restricted the export of advanced Nvidia GPUs and data center chips to China. Despite these restrictions, these chips are still being sold in China. An underground network transports dozens of these devices each month, using couriers from countries like Singapore where the chips are allowed. Chinese buyers have also found loopholes to obtain these chips, vital for AI development.

Philosophers

Authoritarian regimes fear ideas. That’s why books are banned, but ideas can also be carried by people. In communist Czechoslovakia in the late 1970s, philosophers entered the country to share their thoughts. British philosopher Sir Roger Scruton and others arranged to attend open seminars, which served as decoys. While police focused on those talks, the philosophers held smaller seminars, teaching students about philosophy, history, art, and music. This risky endeavor helped spread knowledge and critical thinking behind the Iron Curtain.

Corpses

In 21st-century Iraq, dead bodies were smuggled to the Valley of Peace cemetery in Najaf, a sacred place for Shiite Muslims. During wars and rebellions, sending bodies for burial was outlawed for most people due to high fees. Iraqi and Iranian smugglers stepped in, using the same routes as illegal drugs and weapons. This allowed the deceased to make their final journey to a revered burial site, despite the legal and economic obstacles.

From papal letters to pop music and even corpses, the history of smuggling reveals the resilience and determination of people seeking to overcome oppression. These stories remind us of the importance of freedom of expression and access to information.