{"id":192545,"date":"2026-06-19T15:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/192545\/"},"modified":"2026-06-19T15:45:04","modified_gmt":"2026-06-19T12:45:04","slug":"poland-dismantles-cigarette-smuggler-network-active-since-2023","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/192545\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland dismantles cigarette smuggler network active since 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

June 19, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> Polish law enforcers arrested members of a gang involved in the smuggling of Belarusian cigarettes and suspected of purchasing and distributing illegally manufactured tobacco products, the Polish Border Guard reports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few days ago, officers from the border guard post in Lublin carried out a coordinated operation in the Lublin, Mazovia and Silesia voivodeships, arresting eight Poles and seizing smartphones, gas pistols and nearly 24,000 packs of cigarettes without Polish excise stamps worth more than $134,000, it noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities also seized \u20ac42,000, 156,000 zlotys (approximately $42,000) and $100 in cash along with a Mercedes-Benz vehicle valued at more than $67,000 to cover upcoming fines and penalties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gang was active between 2023 and 2026 and was involved in illegally importing cigarettes from Belarus into Poland and distributing them, investigators said, estimating losses from unpaid customs duties, excise tax, and VAT at $7.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If convicted, gang leaders face up to 15 years in prison, while rank-and-file members could receive up to eight years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A week ago, Polish border guards and law enforcers arrested seven nationals of Poland, Lithuania and Armenia on suspicion of similar crimes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarette smuggling has been a source of significant tensions between Lithuania and Belarus since last fall. In late 2025, Vilnius declared a low-level emergency over incursions by smugglers\u2019 weather balloons that disrupted operations at the country\u2019s airports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cigarettes cost around \u20ac1 per pack in Belarus, making them significantly cheaper than legally sold cigarettes in the European Union, where prices start at about \u20ac5. Smuggled NZ-brand cigarettes can be purchased for around \u20ac2 per pack.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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