On March 9, Lithuanian border officials detained a Belarusian citizen driving a Peugeot 807 at the Šalčininkai road checkpoint. The driver claimed he was visiting family in Lithuania, but his suspicious behavior prompted a thorough inspection of the vehicle. Authorities found cigarettes hidden in various parts of the car, including the engine compartment, floor, roof, and doors.

The detailed search revealed that the vehicle was effectively transformed into a large smuggling hideout, with 11,568 packets of Belarusian cigarettes labeled 'NZ Gold' and 'Minsk Superslim.' The total value of the contraband, including taxes, exceeds 60,000 euros. The sheer volume of the seized items illustrates the ongoing challenges of smuggling across borders and the lengths to which individuals may go to evade detection.

The driver provided an unusual explanation for the presence of the cigarettes, stating that he had purchased the car with the hidden compartments already built in and only later discovered the contraband. He claimed to use the situation to his advantage, reflecting a potentially organized aspect of smuggling networks that seek to exploit unsuspecting drivers for illegal activities. This incident highlights the importance of vigilance at border checkpoints in preventing smuggling operations.