{"id":191568,"date":"2026-06-12T13:35:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T10:35:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/191568\/"},"modified":"2026-06-12T14:55:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T11:55:42","slug":"poland-cracks-down-on-cigarette-smuggling-ring-linked-to-belarus","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/191568\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland cracks down on cigarette smuggling ring linked to Belarus"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n\n \"\"\n
\n \n
\n (Polish Border Guard)<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

June 12, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Polish border guards and law enforcers arrested seven nationals of Poland, Lithuania and Armenia suspected of organizing the smuggling of cigarettes from Belarus via Lithuania to Poland and distributing contraband goods across the European Union, the border authorities said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish officers seized 6.5 million packs of illegally imported cigarettes, worth about $25.7 million, along with assets worth approximately $82,000.<\/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 \"\"