“Smuggling window” closes: MKT unmasked a shadow scheme at Šalčininkai post – 3 suspected smugglers and a customs officer arrested

MKT officials have had information for some time that large amounts of cigarette smuggling are being brought in through the Šalčininkai roadside post. According to the officials, a post office customs official participated in this smuggling scheme.

On the night of October 14-15. the customs coroner organized an ambush in the vicinity of the Šalčininkai roadside post. As expected, around 4 pm 20 minutes ago, a “scout” – a Belarusian citizen – arrived at the post from Belarus with a VW Crafter car. An officer from the Vilnius Territorial Customs inspected his car and allowed him to continue driving.

Before long, around 4 pm 55 minutes later, another Belarusian national appeared at the stand with a Ford Transit minibus, who also stated that he was driving empty, to take a load from Lithuania. Although this customs official had been instructed to carry out a detailed inspection of the car, no irregularities were found and the car continued on its way unhindered.

But it didn’t go very far, around 6 pm Ford Transit was stopped at the White Envelope in the morning by officers from the MKT mobile groups and the Vilnius Territorial Customs. The machine was returned to the post for a new customs inspection and during it, hiding places were found in the walls and ceiling of the minibus, where 24,648 packages of Belarusian “Minsk” cigarettes were found. Its value, including mandatory taxes, is more than 87 thousand. euros.

The driver of the car and the customs official who carried out the initial inspection were detained on suspicion of abuse of office. At the same time, MKT officials detained and detained a Belarusian national who was driving his first car on suspicion of contributing to smuggling. And the next day, a fourth person was arrested in Alytus, a resident of this city waiting for an illegal shipment.

A pre-trial investigation has been launched at the Vilnius branch of the MKT in relation to smuggling, illegal disposal of excise goods and abuse of power. The investigation is led by the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office.

Both Belarusian citizens were detained for a month by decision of the Vilnius City District Court, and the Lithuanian citizens were taken into custody, with documents and a written commitment not to leave.

With increasing cigarette smuggling flows, Lithuanian Customs seeks to prevent corruption among its employees through active preventive measures.

This is the fifth time this year that customs officials have discovered smuggling schemes in which customs officials may be involved. A total of ten customs officials (one of whom received special witness status) were charged with smuggling and abuse of power. Last year, allegations of abuse of power were made against two customs officials.

In February this year, an official from the Medininkai Road Post was detained due to such allegations, in May, two employees of the Kaunas Territorial Customs, in June, two customs officials of the Šalčininkai Road Post, and in September, four officials from Raigardas Road Post customs.

At the same time, however, it must be emphasized that both this and other cases have been revealed thanks to the customs officials themselves, and there will be no tolerance for corruption and abuse in Lithuanian customs.