On Wednesday evening, border guards from the Varėna border unit stopped a car, a Mercedes Benz bearing Lithuanian license plates, on the Dieveniškės–Šalčininkai road near the village of Širvių. This area is close to the exit of the so-called Dieveniškės loop, which is surrounded by Belarusian territory. The guards regularly conduct checks of all vehicles and travelers in the area to prevent illegal activities.

The 25-year-old driver from the Vilnius region has a history of previous encounters with the border guards. Upon suspicion that he might be transporting illegal goods, the officers decided to thoroughly inspect the vehicle at the Gintaro Žagunio border point, where they have the necessary facilities and equipment for detailed examinations. During the inspection, hidden compartments were discovered in the rear bumper of the car, which contained 570 packs of illegal "NZ Gold" cigarettes.

This incident highlights ongoing issues with cigarette smuggling in the region, particularly along the border areas where officials are more vigilant due to the proximity of Belarus. The authorities are likely to prosecute the driver, and the seizure of his luxury vehicle underscores the serious penalties associated with contraband activities. This case reflects the broader trend of illegal smuggling that poses challenges to law enforcement agencies in Lithuania and neighboring countries.