A pre-trial investigation into drug smuggling was launched at the MKT Vilnius department back in December 2025, when four shipments from Canada were seized at Vilnius Airport’s postal facility.
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In one of them – a cookbook – customs officers discovered a hidden compartment, which can be called classic: by cutting out a cavity inside the pages, a vacuum package with cannabis resin was hidden there. Customs officials have seized books with such smuggling hideouts multiple times: not only drugs, but also ancient coins, mobile phones, etc., are hidden this way.
Another shipment checked by customs officers was supposed to contain two heat therapy devices, but their boxes also contained a package with cannabis. Cannabis packages were also found in shipments with sports supplements and clothes.
At that time, a pre-trial investigation into the smuggling of a large quantity of narcotics was launched at the MKT Vilnius department. The investigation was complex – postal shipments had to be collected through a complicated chain of intermediaries, and the recipient disguised himself with fake names, used sophisticated technical means and software to avoid identification.
In June of this year, MKT officers seized two more shipments from Canada containing drugs – cannabis (and 20 electronic cigarettes filled with liquid containing cannabis substance – THC) were found hidden in shipments with a lamp and car seat covers.
Another pre-trial investigation was launched, which was later merged with the one started in late 2025, after it was determined that the same person might have been involved in drug smuggling in both cases.
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In early July, customs criminalists conducted a search in one of the apartments in the Lazdynai district of Vilnius, where the suspected drug recipient lived. During the search, another 100 g of cannabis and other material relevant to the investigation were found in the apartment.
The detained person is a resident of the capital, unemployed, and is linked to all six episodes of drug smuggling.
The pre-trial investigation into illegal possession of a large quantity of narcotics is ongoing, led by prosecutors from the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The following precautionary measures were imposed on the detainee by the Vilnius District Court: mandatory registration with the police institution, a written pledge not to leave, and seizure of documents.
During the investigation, MKT officers seized a total of 1.8 kg of cannabis and cannabis resin, with a black market value exceeding 55 thousand euros.
