Фото: muitine.lrv.lt
Lithuanian customs officers in Šalčininkai detained a passenger car in which a Belarusian citizen attempted to smuggle 11,568 packs of cigarettes into Lithuania. The vehicle had to be almost completely dismantled, as the cigarettes were hidden in the floor, ceiling, and engine compartment, the Lithuanian Customs Service reported.
On March 9, the driver arrived at the Šalčininkai border crossing in a Peugeot 807, stating that he was travelling to visit relatives. However, his behaviour raised suspicion, prompting a thorough inspection. It turned out that the car had been converted into a large-scale smuggling vehicle, with cigarettes hidden throughout — in the ceiling, floor, near the headlights, in the engine compartment, and inside the doors.
In total, officers discovered 11,568 packs of Belarusian cigarettes “NZ Gold” and “Minsk Superslim,” with an estimated value (including taxes) exceeding 60,000 euros.
The driver claimed that he had recently purchased the car and only later discovered it was filled with hidden cigarettes. He then decided to use the situation as an opportunity to “make money” and drove to Lithuania.
However, the attempt failed — customs officers confiscated both the car and the cigarettes. The Vilnius division of the Customs Criminal Service launched a pre-trial investigation into cigarette smuggling under the supervision of prosecutors from the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The Vilnius District Court imposed three preventive measures on the driver: confiscation of documents, a written obligation not to leave his place of residence, and periodic registration with the police.