Фото: VSAT
Lithuania is investigating 30 criminal cases involving the smuggling of cigarettes from Belarus using weather balloons. Courts have already issued verdicts in another 20 cases. This was announced by Prosecutor General Nida Grunskiene.
“We currently have more than 30 pre-trial investigations in which around 90 people have been identified as suspects. There are also cases that have already been heard in court: so far, 20 cases have been examined, and more than 30 people have been found guilty and convicted specifically for smuggling cigarettes using balloons”, she said, according to LRT.
The sentences imposed by the courts were not specified.
Grunskiene said that 83 consignments of smuggled cigarettes transported by weather balloons had already been intercepted this year. According to her, the largest investigation was launched in December.
“We currently have more than 30 pre-trial investigations in which around 90 people have been identified as suspects. There are also cases that have already been heard in court: so far, 20 cases have been examined, and more than 30 people have been found guilty and convicted specifically for smuggling cigarettes using balloons”, she said.