Mass searches took place in Lithuania due to the supply of cars to Russia and Belarus, bypassing sanctions.
According to the Customs Department under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Lithuania, searches were conducted at companies engaged in transportation and the sale of equipment in Vilnius and its surroundings.
Two citizens of Belarus and two citizens of Lithuania were detained on suspicion of violating international sanctions.
Lithuanian law enforcement agencies suspect companies of transporting vehicles to Russia and Belarussia in violation of international regulations. The vehicles were seized under various pretexts – for transporting or loading cargo, etc. It is estimated that in 2024, 30 vehicles will have entered Russia and Belorussia in this manner: tractors, semi-trailers and luxury cars such as BMW X3, X5 and X6, Mercedes-Benz G-class and others. Their combined value, according to preliminary estimates, could amount to 1.7 million euros.
Although the cars remained registered in Lithuania, they were also registered as new vehicles in Russia or Belarus.
During the investigation, customs officers at Myadininkai checkpoint (Kamennaya Log on the Belarus side) detained 8 tractors and 7 semi-trailers belonging to above-mentioned companies on the border with Belarus. Another 9 trucks and 8 semi-trucks, as well as one bus, were seized in Vilnius. The total value of these vehicles was estimated at approximately 1.5 million euros.
In 2022, the EU imposed sanctions prohibiting exports of luxury goods from Russia, including vehicles over 50 thousand euros.
