{"id":196151,"date":"2026-07-17T18:47:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T15:47:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/196151\/"},"modified":"2026-07-17T18:51:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T15:51:05","slug":"poland-lithiuania-seize-belarus-linked-contraband-cigarettes","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/pozirk.online\/en\/news\/196151\/","title":{"rendered":"Poland, Lithuania seize Belarus-linked contraband cigarettes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

July 17, Pozirk.<\/em><\/strong> The border guard services of Poland and Lithuania have recently reported seizures of contraband cigarettes allegedly linked to Belarus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Polish border guards have found 3,000 packs of cigarettes without Polish excise stamps, worth about \u20ac13,800, concealed in the trunk of a passenger car. The driver, a 42-year-old Belarusian national, will stand trial in Poland. He also faces deportation and a five-year ban from entering Poland and other Schengen area countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 45-year-old Vilnius resident was arrested in Lithuania’s \u0160ven\u010dionys district for transporting 4,500 packs of NZ Gold cigarettes with Belarusian excise stamps. The shipment was valued at \u20ac24,570.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuanian authorities launched a pre-trial investigation into the illegal possession and transportation of excise goods. The suspect may face up to six years in prison if convicted.<\/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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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