Lithuanian border guards apprehended ten Africans and two Polish nationals who were involved in an illegal smuggling operation. The group had flown into Belarus before crossing the border into Latvia, where they sought asylum. The incident occurred late Sunday night when officers from the Varėna Border Guard Station stopped a Volkswagen Transporter van for inspection in the Marijampolė Municipality, identifying the Polish driver and his compatriot, who were transporting the migrants.

Upon inspecting the van, officers discovered ten foreigners seated on the vehicle's floor. Six of them identified themselves as Somali nationals while four claimed to come from Ethiopia, all aged between 19 and 31. It was revealed that these individuals had escaped from foreign accommodation facilities in Latvia, presenting papers from the Latvian Alien Registration Center to the Lithuanian authorities. This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Baltic states in managing irregular migration and the consequences of individuals attempting to circumvent border controls.

The episode underscores the increasing scrutiny and operational challenges at EU external borders, especially as migration pressures fluctuate. In light of current geopolitical tensions and the recent influx of migrants through Belarus, Lithuanian authorities are likely to intensify anti-smuggling operations. This situation reflects broader trends in migration within the EU, as countries re-evaluate their border security measures in response to rising illegal migration attempts.