Law enforcement authorities have detained 27 people, including 13 officials, in an investigation into a large-scale cigarette smuggling operation using weather balloons.
"This part of the operation was also directed against corruption [...] and related individuals. A total of 27 people were detained this week; 13 of those detained are not only police officers, but also officers from the State Border Guard Service (VSAT)," Deputy Police Commissioner General Marius Draudvila said on Friday.
Draudvila said the law enforcement operation targeted organised groups "acting cynically against the national, economic, and security interests of the Republic of Lithuania", posing a danger and threat to civil aviation, public safety, and infrastructure.
According to the official, the criminal groups operated in an organised manner, using GPS equipment and encrypted communication tools to precisely track where weather balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes had landed. The cargo was subsequently collected and sold.
Police said 74 searches were conducted during the operations, involving more than 100 officers. Thermal imagers, drones, GPS transmitters, radio stations, SIM cards, face masks, and cigarette packaging materials were seized during the raids.
Of the 13 officers detained, three serve in the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), including two shift supervisors. The remaining 10 are police officers: eight patrolmen from the Šalčininkai district commissariat, one investigator from a Vilnius city territorial commissariat, and one senior investigator from the Vilnius County Chief Police Commissariat.
According to Draudvila, the officials provided sensitive operational information to smugglers.
The officers have been suspended from duty and are expected to be dismissed. Police Department leadership said the arrests would not significantly affect policing in the Šalcininkai district or compromise local security.
The detainees also include a senior specialist from the Šalcininkai municipal utilities department.
The investigation involves charges of smuggling and criminal association, as well as aiding a foreign state in activities against Lithuania.
Martynas Jovaiša, chief prosecutor of the Organised Crime and Corruption Investigation Department, said this relates to the disruption of airport operations caused by the flight of smuggling balloons.
"In carrying out specific criminal acts, the individuals acted in a way that aligns with the interests of hostile states, allowing their actions to be qualified not only as smuggling but also under this article. This is because their activities are directly linked to the policy of a neighbouring state. It harms not only Lithuania's economic situation but also its national security," Jovaiša said.
There are currently 49 suspects in this pre-trial investigation, with seized assets valued at 4.2 million euros.
‘Painful news’ – PM
Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė said on Friday that the detention of more than a dozen officers in a balloon smuggling investigation was painful but showed that law enforcement was taking action.
"Officers who were supposed to protect the state, defend its border and the public's trust have been detained for allegedly becoming part of criminal activity. This is very painful news for the state and society. It is painful for all officers serving honestly," Ruginienė said.
"Recently, we have heard much criticism regarding the threat posed by smuggling balloons, potential inaction, and the state's ability to protect its border. Today we can clearly say – the state did not watch, it acted," the prime minister said.
Ruginienė thanked the officers who conducted the investigation. According to her, "enormous work" was carried out over recent months, involving intelligence activities, evidence collection, and long-term preparation for the operation.
The prime minister said the fight against smuggling and organised crime is one of the government's top priorities.
She also said the situation raises serious questions regarding institutional control, internal mechanisms, and accountability, necessitating a clear institutional assessment in which the Interior Ministry will play a key role.
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