Police detain three over illicit excise goods in Vilnius

Police detained three people in Vilnius in late October over the alleged illegal possession of excise-taxed goods, LRT reported, citing the Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat.

Investigators identified locations where the goods were stored and found that a truck had been acquired for the operation. Its trailer was already loaded with goods ready for transport when the detentions took place.

Searches of the suspects’ homes, vehicles and storage premises uncovered more than 9,500 bottles of spirits, with a total volume of nearly 9,000 litres, and more than 61,000 cans of energy drinks.

The alcohol did not bear Lithuanian excise stamps, and no documents confirming its origin or lawful purchase were provided. Investigators suspect the goods may have been brought into Lithuania illegally for sale on the domestic market to avoid taxes.

The seized goods may be worth more than 300,000 euros, including applicable taxes, preliminary estimates show. Their final value and related tax liabilities will be determined during the pre-trial investigation, following specialist and expert assessments.

Pre-trial measures have been imposed on all three suspects. The Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office is organising and leading the investigation. Illegal possession of excise-taxed goods is punishable by a fine or up to eight years in prison.