An Alytus resident was caught in the Čepkeliai reserve area for illegal possession of excise goods, having been previously identified as connected to balloon-smuggling activities near the Belarus border.
On the last day of January, a resident of Alytus was caught in the Čepkeliai reserve in the Varėna district during an investigation into illegal possession of excise goods. He currently holds the status of a special witness in the ongoing preliminary investigation. The border guards had prior information regarding individuals allegedly involved in smuggling activities using aerial methods near the border with Belarus. Evidence of one suspect was captured by the surveillance cameras set up by the border guards at the Kabeliai outpost, and their service dog, a German Shepherd named Endy, had already tracked the man's footprints.
Due to the influx of migrants at the Belarus border, Lithuania has established barbed wire and protective fencing to enhance security. However, the Čepkeliai reserve, characterized by unstable ground and natural obstacles, did not permit the installation of such structures. Consequently, border guards from the Kabeliai outpost are implementing alternative measures to secure the border, including a monitoring system that operates close to the border line in areas with stable ground.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Lithuanian authorities in managing security along its borders, particularly with Belarus. The utilization of advanced technology and trained dogs emphasizes the seriousness of combating smuggling operations, which could have broader implications for security and public safety in the region.
