Two foreigners charged with smuggling drug-laced paper to UAE, Bahrain

VILNIUS - A criminal case involving two foreign nationals accused of attempting to smuggle drug-laced paper to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and possessing large quantities of psychotropic substances has been referred to the Vilnius Regional Court.

According to the Prosecutor General's Office, W. Sh. and Sw. S. face charges of large-scale drug smuggling and illegal possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

The pre-trial investigation was launched in September 2025 after an employee at a parcel distribution terminal in Vilnius discovered a hidden compartment in a shipment and alerted police. The packages, handed over to a courier by the defendants, were intended for delivery to the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

During a search of an apartment rented by the suspects, police officers discovered a very large quantity of various psychotropic substances, totalling 1.78 kilograms.

Investigators allege that the defendants used specialised equipment to impregnate A4 paper sheets with psychotropic substances. To evade customs controls, the sheets were concealed in hidden compartments built into shipping boxes.

The defendants are currently in custody. They face up to 18 years in prison for drug smuggling and up to 15 years for possession with intent to distribute.