Half a ton of drugs worth EUR 70 million seized in international operation in Vilnius in cooperation with Latvia and Estonia

VILNIUS – Officers of the Lithuanian Customs Criminal Service (CCS) in cooperation with Latvia and Estonia intercepted a consignment containing half a ton of drugs during an international operation in Vilnius.

The value of such a consignment of drugs on the black market exceeds EUR 70 million. In the opinion of customs officials, this quantity of drugs was clearly not destined for the Lithuanian market and the drugs would most likely have moved to another country.

As reported by the CCS on Friday, a consignment of nearly 500 kilograms of mephedrone from abroad was intercepted at the premises of a company in Vilnius on October 20.

In addition to the Lithuanian Customs, officers from the Estonian Tax and Customs Board and the Latvian Tax and Customs Police Department took part in this international drug interception operation.

A pre-trial investigation has been opened at the CCS for smuggling a very large quantity of drugs. The director of the company was questioned as a special witness.

The investigation was launched in cooperation between Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian officials after 26 barrels containing a crystalline synthetic narcotic substance were flown from Cyprus to Estonia.

The shipment was to be transported via Latvia to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, to the address of a logistics company.

However, law enforcement officials inspected the shipment in Estonia and found 482 kilograms of mephedrone (a synthetic stimulant drug similar in effect to cocaine, amphetamine or cathinone).

On October 20, the cargo was delivered to the premises of a logistics company in Vilnius at a specified address, under the control of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian customs officials working in close cooperation. The consignment was intercepted there and Lithuanian officials searched the company.

The pre-trial investigation opened by the CCS for smuggling a very large quantity of drugs is led by prosecutors from the Organized Crime and Corruption Investigation Division of the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor's Office. Such an offence is punishable by imprisonment from ten to eighteen years.

A pre-trial investigation into drug smuggling has also been opened in Estonia.