{"id":189423,"date":"2026-05-27T12:48:33","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:48:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/189423\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:48:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:48:37","slug":"lithuania-intercepts-raft-with-smuggled-cigarettes-from-belarus-worth-over-e12000","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/189423\/","title":{"rendered":"Lithuania intercepts raft with smuggled cigarettes from Belarus worth over \u20ac12,000"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (vsat.lrv.lt)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

May 27, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Lithuanian border guards seized a raft carrying contraband Belarusian cigarettes from the Neris River (Vilija in Belarus) two days ago, the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service reports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officers spotted a \u201csuspicious object\u201d about 30 meters from the shore, described as a hexagon-shaped structure, partially submerged in water and stuck among plants and branches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Border guards seized 2,250 packs of NZ Gold cigarettes with Belarusian excise stamps worth \u20ac12,397 and wrapped in black plastic film. Lithuanian authorities launched a pre-trial investigation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Border Guard Service noted that its officers have recently encountered relatively few cases of cigarette smuggling from Belarus by water. Smugglers typically prefer drones and weather balloons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarette smuggling has been a source of significant tensions between Lithuania and Belarus since last fall. In late 2025, Vilnius declared a low-level emergency over incursions by smugglers\u2019 weather balloons that disrupted operations at the country\u2019s airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes cost around \u20ac1 per pack in Belarus, making them significantly cheaper than legally sold cigarettes in Lithuania, where prices start at about \u20ac5. Smuggled NZ-brand cigarettes can be purchased in Vilnius for around \u20ac2 per pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n
\n \"\"