27 people have been detained in Lithuania in connection with a case involving the smuggling of cigarettes in weather balloons — LRT
In Lithuania, law enforcement officials have detained 27 people, including 13 government officials. They are suspected of involvement in a large-scale cigarette smuggling operation using weather balloons. The investigation into the case is ongoing.
This was reported by LRT.
Thirteen of those detained are not only police officers but also employees of the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), Deputy Police Commissioner General Marius Draudvila said on Friday. They provided smugglers with confidential operational information.
Droudvila noted that the law enforcement operation was directed against organized groups that “cynically act against the national, economic, and security interests of the Republic of Lithuania,” posing a danger and threat to civil aviation, public safety, and infrastructure.
According to the official, the criminal groups operated in an organized manner, using GPS equipment and encrypted communication devices to precisely track the landing sites of weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes. The cargo was then collected and sold.
Police reported that 74 searches were conducted during the operations, involving more than 100 officers. Thermal imaging devices, drones, GPS transmitters, radios, SIM cards, masks, and cigarette packaging materials were seized during the raids.
The detained officers have been suspended from duty and are expected to be dismissed.
The investigation concerns allegations of smuggling and criminal conspiracy, as well as aiding a foreign state in activities against Lithuania.
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