Lithuanian Prosecutor’s Office Reports Arrests Linked to Illegal Tobacco Production
According to the Lithuanian Prosecutor’s Office, a group involved in the illegal manufacture of cigarettes branded by popular Western companies was detected and detained within Lithuania. The crackdown targeted facilities operating in the Klaipėda and Kretinga regions, resulting in the apprehension of eleven individuals. Among those held were five Ukrainian citizens and two citizens of the Russian Federation.
The public prosecutor’s office has not disclosed the specific duties assigned to the Russians and Ukrainians within the criminal scheme. Authorities confirmed that investigators identified both the factory in the Kretinga district and storage sites in Klaipėda as part of the operation.
Law enforcement officers seized goods valued at about 1.6 million euros. It is estimated that the raw materials uncovered could yield up to 30 million cigarettes, with an approximate value near 5 million euros when finished products would hit the market.
In a separate development, reports note that a Russian national was detained in Bishkek while attempting to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship. That individual was placed on a wanted list on suspicion of committing serious crimes.