“Belarusians tried to import into Lithuania more than three thousand packs of cigarettes, which were discovered during an X-ray examination in various places”, — write: www.radiosvoboda.org
The Lithuanian customs service noted that the incident occurred at the Medininkai checkpoint.
In general, according to the report, the Belarusians tried to import into Lithuania more than three thousand packs of cigarettes, which were discovered during an X-ray examination in various places: in hiding places under the seats, under the thresholds of the car, under the front panel of instruments, etc.
The value of smuggled cigarettes was estimated at 13,573 euros. Protocols on administrative offenses have been drawn up for Belarusian citizens, they face a fine of two to six thousand euros. The press release refers to the removal of the BMW X5, BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz.
“Such cars are transferred for the needs of Ukraine,” the department emphasizes.
In 2024, Lithuania transferred 114 confiscated vehicles to Ukraine as humanitarian aid, the customs office notes.
Smugglers try to smuggle cigarettes from Belarus to Lithuania in various ways. Recently, they have been actively using weather probes, balloons and drones to deliver illegal goods from Belarus to Lithuania. Cigarettes are mainly delivered in this way.
In 2024, 226 consignments of contraband sent by balloons were intercepted in Lithuania, and this year border guards recorded 40 attempts of such deliveries. Also in 2024, 52 drones were intercepted trying to smuggle cigarettes to Lithuania from Belarus, the State Border Guard Service of Lithuania reported on December 5.