{"id":166740,"date":"2025-12-03T21:21:44","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T18:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/166740\/"},"modified":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","modified_gmt":"2026-03-09T20:10:49","slug":"lithuanian-cabinet-weighs-tougher-penalties-for-cigarette-smuggling","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/166740\/","title":{"rendered":"Lithuanian cabinet weighs tougher penalties for cigarette smuggling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

December 3, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginien\u0117 said her cabinet plans to introduce stricter penalties for cigarette smuggling as the country continues to grapple with illegal shipments arriving from Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Ruginien\u0117, the proposed measures include criminal prosecution without the option of reduced sentences under the Administrative Code, the seizure of property and expanded powers for financial crime investigators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government is also considering limits on the number of SIM cards that can be purchased by a single person. Ruginien\u0117 noted that smugglers use large quantities of prepaid SIM cards to operate cigarette-carrying balloons. Some foreign nationals have reportedly bought thousands of SIM cards, she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ruginien\u0117 also pointed out that the foreign ministry is preparing proposals for tougher sanctions against Belarus\u2014a move supported by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said she is looking forward to a visit by John Coale, the US envoy for Belarus, to Vilnius and Minsk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Lithuanian foreign ministry, from the beginning of the year through December 2, there were 599 recorded incursions by contraband balloons and 197 by drones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tensions between Belarus and Lithuania over smuggling-related balloon flights have risen since mid-October, prompting Lithuanian authorities to temporarily close border checkpoints on several occasions and briefly suspend operations at Vilnius Airport, located near the Belarusian border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Minsk has been urging consultations between the countries\u2019 foreign ministries. However, Lithuania views such talks as an attempt to undermine the international isolation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka\u2019s regime and potentially facilitate the easing of sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vilnius remains reluctant to enter negotiations, having curtailed official contacts with Minsk following what it deemed the fraudulent 2020 presidential election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian officials continue to call for a stronger and more coordinated European Union response to ongoing provocations by Minsk, including repeated airspace violations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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