The officials of the criminal service of the Lithuanian Customs determined eight persons as suspects for cigarette smuggling and confiscated less than a million packs of cigarettes worth 3.8 million euros.
Two persons were detained, one of whom was released after questioning, while the other was detained for two months. The other suspects were subjected to various non-custodial security measures, such as a written promise not to leave, confiscation of documents and the obligation to periodically register with the police.
The Customs Criminal Service informed on Thursday that last week customs officers together with the State Border Guard Service of Lithuania, the European Police Organization “Europol”, the Financial Crimes Investigation Service and the Lithuanian Anti-Terrorist Operations Unit “Aras” conducted searches in Vilnius, Kaunas, Jurbarkas, Alits and Veisijes, as well as in the Marijampole district in connection with the sale of cigarettes, their transportation to Norway and the legalization of proceeds of crime.
During various searches in Lithuania and abroad, officials confiscated 961,000 packs of cigarettes, the total value of which, including taxes, is 3,854,000 euros.
Some of the suspects have previous convictions for cigarette smuggling and have restricted rights to real estate in Spain and Lithuania, as well as luxury cars.
Tags: Contraband cigarettes worth million seized border Lithuania intended Norway
