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Lithuanian Border Guards Seize Two Hundred Thousand Cigarettes

In Šalčininkai district of Lithuania, a large cargo of smuggled cigarettes fell into the hands of the officers of the State Border Guard Service (SBGS) – more than 60 thousand. packets. Two locals involved in its transportation also got stuck. They face up to eight years in prison.

On Thursday night, officials of the SBGS criminal intelligence units and the Special Purpose Division, together with colleagues from the Immunity Board, inspected the area near Kužiai village of Šalčininkai district. It was known that there could be an attempt to transport illegal cargo here.

On the banks of the Šalčykščiai River, the border guards noticed two people pulling bundles. In this place, the Lithuanian-Belarusian border runs in the middle of the said water body.

Both carriers were caught by SBGS officials as they pulled a load from the river towards Butrimonys Pond, where the Volkswagen Transporter and Audi Q7 cars were parked. Both detainees turned out to be locals, 28-year-olds and 34-year-olds from Salcininkai.

In the minibus and near the pond, border guards found as many as 122 boxes of smokers. A total of 61 thousand. packets of cigarettes Minsk Capital QS, Minsk Capital MS and Camel Compact with Belarusian excise stamps.

The value of such cargo in Lithuania, including all mandatory taxes, is almost 200 thousand. euros.

The SBGS Varėna border team has launched a pre-trial investigation into smuggling and illegal disposal of excisable goods. This is punishable by a fine or imprisonment of up to eight years.