Lithuanian border guards (VSAT) have been engaged in a pre-trial investigation regarding the illegal possession of excise goods after intercepting a contraband shipment of cigarettes delivered via air balloons from Belarus. So far this year, a total of 45 such shipments have been recorded, amounting to over 121,000 cigarette packs with an estimated value of about 540,000 euros in Lithuania, according to the VSAT statistics.

The trend reveals an increase in the illegal importation of cigarettes via air balloons, contrasting sharply with previous years. For instance, in January last year, 63 such shipments were seized, followed by 45 in February. This year, authorities have already apprehended 22 individuals connected to these balloon-delivered contraband shipments, with a total of 171 related arrests made in the past two years. This uptick highlights a growing challenge for border control agencies as they adapt to new smuggling methods employed by traffickers.

In previous years, the smuggling of contraband via aerial means was virtually non-existent, with only a handful of attempts recorded since effective border protections were tightened. The increase in balloon deliveries indicates a significant shift in smuggling tactics, prompting the need for enhanced vigilance and operational strategies among Lithuanian border guards to combat this emerging issue.