Lithuanian border guard detained in cigarette smuggling investigation

A Lithuanian border guard has been detained as part of an investigation into alleged involvement in cigarette smuggling, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) announced on Wednesday.

During an operation near Vilnius, officers intercepted a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van carrying 35,500 packs of contraband cigarettes—71 boxes—with Belarusian tax stamps. The cargo, including unpaid taxes, was valued at nearly €191,000. A second vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat registered in Lithuania and driven by a 51-year-old Belarusian resident, was also stopped under suspicion of escorting the smugglers’ van.

Seven individuals, including a 29-year-old junior specialist from the Adutiškis border checkpoint, were detained in connection with the case. Authorities later seized an additional 21,000 packs of cigarettes, cash, and other evidence during searches. Investigators suspect the cigarettes may have been smuggled into Lithuania via drones from Belarus.

The detained border guard has been suspended from duty pending an internal review. A pre-trial investigation has been launched into alleged tax evasion and abuse of office. Last week, Lithuanian law enforcement reported a separate operation targeting cigarette smuggling via weather balloons, resulting in 27 arrests—including 10 police officers and three border guards—though none were accused of directly organizing the smuggling.

Charges against the suspects range from written pledges not to leave the country to detention, depending on their alleged roles.