Lithuanian customs officials have detained two Tesla Cybertruck cars, because it is suspected that these pickups with an electric engine were intended to be smuggled into Russia through Belarus, thus violating European Union (EU) sanctions.
Both pickup trucks manufactured in 2023 were detained on May 7 at the Salčininku checkpoint near the border with Belarus, Lithuanian customs announced on Wednesday.
Customs officials refused export procedures for vehicles allegedly destined for export to Belarus and opened a pre-trial investigation into violations of international sanctions and smuggling.
Lithuanian officials suspect that the “Tesla Cybertruck” was intended for transport and registration in Russia. EU sanctions for the export of passenger cars to this country have been in force since 2014.
Both vehicles are currently in the Lithuanian customs premises. Their leaders were released after questioning.
The value of each car exceeds 200,000 euros.
Lithuanian customs officials say that there has been increased control over the export of luxury passenger cars to third countries.
Last year, officials found that almost every second car with a price of more than 50,000 euros exported from the EU to Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan and other third countries ended up on the Russian market.
Tags: Lithuanian customs officers prevent export Tesla Cybertrucks Belarus
