In the Šilalė district of Lithuania, police stopped a Hyundai ix35 driven by a 42-year-old woman and discovered a large quantity of contraband cigarettes. The vehicle was halted at 11:47 AM in Dargaliai village, leading to the seizure of 2,500 packs of cigarettes, including 1,500 packs of 'Marlboro Gold' and 1,000 packs of 'Winston Blue', all lacking the government-mandated Lithuanian tax stamps.

This incident has prompted law enforcement to initiate a pre-trial investigation into the unlawful possession of excise goods, reflecting ongoing concerns regarding the illegal tobacco trade in Lithuania. The specific focus will be on the origins of the cigarettes and how they evaded detection before being brought into the country.

The finding underscores a broader issue in Lithuania, where contraband goods, particularly cigarettes, remain a significant challenge for authorities. This case adds to the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and enforce tax regulations on tobacco products, and it highlights the importance of vigilance in border control and local policing.