Lithuania: Supreme Court confirms convictions in cigarette smuggling scheme from Belarus

(Luxembourg, 14 October 2026) – The Supreme Court of Lithuania has upheld the convictions of two former Lithuanian customs officers, as well as two Belarusian citizens, for the smuggling of large quantities of cigarettes from Belarus, confirming the lower court’s judgement and dismissing the defendants’ appeals. The customs officers’ conviction for abuse of office was also upheld.

The Supreme Court also confirmed that the defendants had acted as part of an organised criminal group. The lower courts’ ruling requiring the defendants to pay over €9.7 million in damages to the Customs authorities remains in force.

The case stemmed from an investigation led by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Vilnius into a scheme involving smuggling of millions of cigarettes produced in Belarus through the Lithuanian border. The cigarettes were transported by multiple trucks, and the customs checks were bypassed with the assistance of the two Lithuanian customs officers. Over three million packets of cigarettes were smuggled in this way, causing an estimated damage of approximately €10 million. 

The decision of the Supreme Court of Lithuania is final and not subject to appeal.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is the independent public prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.