Lithuanian border guards find crashed smuggling drone carrying Belarusian cigarettes

Lithuanian border guards have discovered a crashed drone in Šalčininkai district carrying 500 packs of contraband Belarusian cigarettes, the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) reported on Monday.

According to VSAT, officers from the Varėna border unit detected the drone late Sunday evening near the Purvėnai border checkpoint in Tausiūnai village (Šalčininkai district, Eišiškės eldership). Guards heard the sound of an unmanned aerial vehicle and deployed counter-drone measures. Video surveillance confirmed the drone flying from Lithuania’s interior toward the state border before disappearing from view.

On Monday morning, during a daylight search of the area near Joniškis village, officers located the crashed and damaged drone along with a single package wrapped in clear polyethylene. The package contained 500 packs of Minsk 5 Superslims cigarettes, marked with Belarusian excise stamps. No additional items or individuals linked to the incident were found at the scene.

The seized cigarettes and drone have been transferred to the Purvėnai border checkpoint for temporary storage. The retail value of the smuggled cigarettes in Lithuania, including all applicable taxes, is estimated at €2,755. Administrative proceedings have been initiated under the Code of Administrative Offences for the illegal possession and transport of excise goods, carrying potential fines ranging from €5,200 to €6,000.

VSAT data shows that in the first five months of 2026, border guards have already downed 21 smuggling drones. Last year, a total of 59 drones were intercepted after crossing from Belarus, with 54 of them carrying Belarusian cigarettes in 2024.