This incident began when a bus, driven by two Belarusian drivers, entered Lithuania from Belarus. Despite declaring they were not carrying any prohibited items, customs officials became suspicious due to the unusually low number of passengers—only seven on a typically full bus. This prompted a detailed inspection of the vehicle, where hidden compartments were discovered in the drivers' sleeping quarters, leading to the finding of contraband cigarettes.

During the thorough customs check, the Yutong bus was subjected to a rigorous examination using an X-ray system, which revealed additional hidden compartments throughout the bus, including under the upholstery and in the floor. In total, 2,500 packs of "NZ Gold" cigarettes were uncovered, valued at approximately €12,375 including taxes. The significant amount of smuggled goods indicates a larger operation at play, raising concerns about the scale of cigarette smuggling across the border.

Following this discovery, the Vilnius Customs Criminal Service launched a pre-trial investigation into the incident, with the Vilnius District Prosecutor's Office leading the case. Both of the bus drivers were detained, and a court ruling is anticipated to follow as authorities seek to address and prevent further smuggling activities in the region.