Vilnius residents report drug use and dealing near children’s playground in new housing district

Residents of a newly built apartment complex in Vilnius have raised alarms over persistent drug use and suspected dealing near a children’s playground, with claims that authorities have failed to act despite repeated reports, LRT reports.

Locals living in the “Vilnelė Square” district near the Markučiai microdistrict say unknown individuals regularly inject drugs near the playground, while dealing appears to occur in a nearby abandoned wooden house on Subačiaus Street. One resident, Emilija, who moved in months ago, described seeing users “walking around, sometimes lying down” and admitted fearing for her safety.

Neighbours claim to have documented multiple incidents, submitting video evidence and photos to the e-Policija system, with seven reports filed in the past week alone. One resident reported calling emergency services twice after finding motionless individuals on the ground. “We all report it, but there have been no real actions so far,” a local said, expressing frustration over the lack of response from both the municipality and police.

The abandoned house, partially boarded up but with one window accessible, shows signs of heavy drug use—scattered syringes, broken ampoules, and burnt foil litter the ground inside. Residents suspect the window is used for handing over drugs, though the Roma families living in the occupied half of the building declined to comment.

Deputy Chief of the Vilnius County Police Commissariat, Povilas Revuckas, acknowledged the area is under surveillance but stated that photos and videos alone do not constitute proof of a crime. He confirmed undercover operations are underway to catch dealers, noting that gathering sufficient evidence is a lengthy process. “A picture of people standing around is not, in essence, evidence,” he said.