Lithuanian border guards detain 30 irregular migrants and suspected smugglers in large-scale operation

A major cross-border smuggling operation was disrupted near Vilnius on Tuesday after Lithuanian border guards detained 30 irregular migrants—most of whom were later returned to Belarus—as well as six suspected organisers involved in transporting them further into Europe, LRT reports, citing the State Border Guard Service (VSAT).

Surveillance systems at the Jurgio Kybartas border outpost recorded the group crossing into Lithuania through a tunnel near Baravykinė village, Vilnius district, late on Monday evening. Within minutes, 30 people—citizens of Afghanistan, Iraq, and Pakistan—illegally entered the country in a coordinated breach. Only a fraction carried valid identification documents.

Border guards, supported by canine units, helicopters, drones, and police, launched an immediate operation. By Tuesday night, 27 of the migrants had been apprehended; 24 were returned to Belarus, while two required medical attention. The remaining three are still being sought.

Three foreign drivers—a 35-year-old Ukrainian, a 41-year-old Georgian, and a 24-year-old Ukrainian—were detained in separate locations across Vilnius district. All were preparing to transport the migrants to Poland in vehicles registered in Poland, en route to Western Europe, likely Germany. Investigators confirmed the drivers, though unrelated, had coordinated routes and instructions via messaging apps.

On Wednesday morning, Vilnius police arrested a 37-year-old Lithuanian man transporting six Afghan nationals in a Volkswagen Tiguan. Later the same day, border guards in Klaipėda detained a 44-year-old Azerbaijani and a 28-year-old Lithuanian—both linked not only to this incident but to broader suspected smuggling networks.

Pre-trial investigations have been opened under charges of illegal border crossing for financial gain and endangering lives, carrying potential sentences of up to eight years’ imprisonment. The detained suspects remain in custody.

The State Border Guard Service continues search operations for the three remaining migrants while analysing evidence from the case.