Almost Three Dozen People Were Detained In Lithuania For Smuggling Belarusian Cigarettes

• 22.05.2026, 14:49

The Prime Minister addressed the people of the country.

Lithuania has detained 27 people in connection with cigarette smuggling using balloons. Law enforcers, border guards and a municipal official were among those involved in the investigation, Lithuanian police said.

Police reported a "coordinated attack against two groups" involved in organizing balloon smuggling. Twenty-seven people have been detained.

"The reality is that among those detained are police officers, border guards, a municipal official - a total of 14 officers," police said.

The two groups are suspected of carrying out illegal activities in different parts of Lithuania and coordinating their actions with sources in the authorities. 74 searches were conducted, not only cigarettes with Belarusian excises, but also GPS-transmitters, drones, binoculars, thermal imaging cameras, radios, and many SIM cards were found.

The total value of the seized property is more than 4 million euros.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginenė, as Delfi writes, addressed the country's residents.

"Today we are witnessing an unprecedented case. Servants who were supposed to protect the state and its borders have been detained, they have the trust of the people. However, it is suspected that they may have been part of criminal activities. This is sad news for the state and society. Sad for all honest service members. First, I want to thank everyone involved in the investigation. A tremendous amount of work has been done over the last few months. Sophisticated intelligence work, meticulous evidence gathering, long and responsible preparation for the operation. It was a professional, principled and important work for the state," Filat said.