On Thursday afternoon, border guards from the State Border Guard Service (VSAT) apprehended a 30-year-old man from Vilnius on the Vilnius-Kaunas highway while he was driving a Volvo V50. This incident marks the second time in three months that the man has been caught attempting to smuggle illegal cigarettes into Lithuania, having previously been detained in December with a large quantity of smuggled tobacco in a different vehicle.

During the recent traffic stop, authorities discovered 6,000 packs of cigarettes branded "NZ Gold" with Belarusian stamps in the car, valued at nearly 30,000 euros after accounting for all applicable taxes in Lithuania. The collaboration between the VSAT and local police was instrumental in this operation, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat smuggling activities in the region.

The repeated offenses committed by this individual raise concerns about the effectiveness of enforcement measures against smuggling and the need for further investigation into the networks involved in such illegal activities. The repeated apprehension of the same suspect suggests that smuggling remains a persistent issue, warranting increased vigilance and coordinated efforts among law enforcement agencies.