Lithuania Set A Record For The Number Of Drones Seized Carrying Contraband From Belarus

Since the beginning of the year, border guards have already intercepted 61 drones.

Lithuanian border guards took control of and brought down a drone carrying contraband cigarettes in the Šalčininkai District. This is the 61st such drone that has been intercepted this year, which is more than the total number intercepted last year, reports the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (VSAT).

The smuggling drone was spotted by two Lithuanian border patrol units at the same time.

“After immediately deploying official anti-drone equipment, the outpost’s video surveillance operator recorded the drone’s crash,” writes VSAT.

The border guards then cordoned off the area around the village of Tribonai and found the drone in a farmer’s field. A box was attached to the UAV.

“Inside, they found 320 packs of NZ Gold cigarettes bearing Belarusian excise stamps. The value of this quantity of tobacco products, taking into account all taxes required to be paid in Lithuania, amounts to 1,651 euros. Administrative proceedings have been initiated at the Tribonai border post in connection with the acquisition and transportation of excise goods in violation of established procedures. The smugglers’ drone and the Belarusian cigarettes are currently being held there as unclaimed property,” the VSAT emphasized.

Since the beginning of 2026, Lithuanian border guards have intercepted 61 smugglers’ drones. Over the course of last year, VSAT officers intercepted 59 drones that had flown in from Belarus. In 2024, 54 drones carrying Belarusian cigarettes were intercepted.

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