Lithuania uncovers cigarette smuggling network

In Lithuania, a criminal group involved in cigarette smuggling using balloons has been uncovered. According to investigators, 28 people are involved in the scheme, using GPS equipment, drones, special vehicles, communication devices, and even uniforms imitating law enforcement gear. Lithuanian investigators state they have no evidence that this convoy was forced to act under prior collusion with the Belarusian side. Nevertheless, Vilnius continues to accuse Minsk of 'hybrid attacks' and supports the state of emergency regime, although official data on its effectiveness is still lacking. Balloons continue flying across the entire country and are being discovered in western Lithuania. Poland, also complaining about such deliveries, likely faces the fact that they are arriving from Lithuania.

Context

Since the deterioration of relations between Belarus and Lithuania, cigarette smuggling has increased, and the Lithuanian government has strengthened controls, including cracking down on the illegal use of balloons to transport goods.