On March 9, customs officials at the Šalčininkai checkpoint stopped a Belarusian driver in a Peugeot 807 who claimed to be visiting relatives in Lithuania. Upon noticing suspicious behavior, the officials conducted a thorough inspection of the vehicle, uncovering concealed contraband cigarettes hidden in various locations including the floor, ceiling, lights, side doors, and engine compartment. The total amount of discovered cigarettes amounted to 11,568 packs of Belarusian brands 'NZ Gold' and 'Minsk Superslim', with a market value exceeding 60,000 euros.

The driver explained to the authorities that he had found the hiding spots for the cigarettes only after buying the car and decided to exploit this opportunity to earn money by smuggling them into Lithuania. This incident raises concerns regarding illegal smuggling operations across the border and the methods used by smugglers to evade detection by authorities.

Following the discovery, the Belarusian driver was subjected to three precautionary measures: the seizure of documents, a written pledge not to leave, and periodic check-ins at a police station. The Vilnius District Prosecutor's Office has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the cigarette smuggling case, indicating the Lithuanian authorities' commitment to combating contraband activities in the region.