In a recent operation, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (VSAT) successfully intercepted a drone carrying 500 packs of contraband cigarettes near the Belarus border. The drone was captured thanks to vigilant border surveillance and the use of a portable thermal imaging device, which initially detected its presence flying over the village of Milvydai. After confirming the sighting, officials deployed anti-drone technology to secure the area and assess the situation further.

The recovery operation proved challenging as the drone had become lodged high in the branches of a pine tree, making it difficult for officials to retrieve it. After unsuccessful attempts by the border guards, help was sought from the local forestry authority in Poškoniai, where workers used their equipment to assist in lowering the drone safely. This incident highlights the increasing ingenuity of smuggling operations and the measures authorities are taking to combat them.

This drone incident signifies a broader issue regarding border security and smuggling activities in the region, especially given Lithuania's proximity to Belarus, which has seen an uptick in contraband activities. The efficiency of the border guard's response, aided by local cooperation, shows a proactive approach to handling such violations and underscores the critical role of technological advancements in law enforcement.