Lithuanian authorities arrested two local residents for holding a significant stash of Belarusian cigarettes and suspected drugs in their apartment.
On Thursday in Alytus, Lithuania, officers from the Border Guard Criminal Intelligence Division caught two local residents, aged 31 and 34, with a large quantity of illegal goods. In the basement of their apartment building, authorities discovered 5,540 packs of 'Marlboro Gold' and 'NZ Gold' cigarettes, which bore Belarusian excise stamps. The total value of the cigarettes, after accounting for necessary taxes in Lithuania, amounts to €28,918.
Continuing their investigation, border guards searched the younger suspect's apartment and found suspected narcotics as well as €2,250 in cash, believed to be proceeds from illegal activities. Additionally, a 'Škoda Octavia' vehicle was seized, which authorities suspect was used to facilitate these illegal operations. Both individuals have been arrested and taken into custody, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and drug-related crimes in the region.
A pre-trial investigation has been initiated concerning the illegal possession of excise goods, with possible legal consequences ranging from fines to imprisonment of up to six years. As the investigation continues, officials remain vigilant in addressing the growing concerns of smuggling and drug abuse, reflecting a broader crackdown on illegal activities in Lithuania.
