On Monday, officers from the VSAT Border Guard Coastal Patrol, operating under the Criminal Intelligence Department of the Kelmė district, conducted an operation in the village of Kalniškės. During the patrol, three residents from Kuršėnai (Šiaulė region)—aged 36, 37, and 58—were apprehended. The individuals were suspected of illegally disposing of goods subject to excise duty.
The VSAT officers observed the suspects loading boxes of cigarettes into the auxiliary premises of the village using a cargo minibus, identified as a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. A subsequent inspection of a separate vehicle, a VW Transporter, within the village also revealed contraband cigarettes stored in its cargo area. Both vehicles were confirmed to be registered with standard Lithuanian state number plates.
During the investigation, the criminalists recovered a substantial quantity of untaxed tobacco products. Specifically, they found a total of 176,000 packs, contained within 352 boxes. The seized cigarettes included multiple brands: “Marlboro Gold Original,” “NZ Gold,” “Davidoff Gold,” “Parliament,” and “Winston Blue.” All the recovered items were noted to be missing the required excise stamps, indicating an attempt to circumvent established tax regulations.
This action underscores the ongoing enforcement efforts at the border to combat illicit trade within the district.
Topics: #district #border #three
