Customs officers detain 2 suspects and 3,000 tonnes of Belarusian carbamide

Officers of the Customs Department, in cooperation with the State Security Department (VSD) and the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT), are carrying out a pre-trial investigation launched on 13 January 2023 into suspected violation of international sanctions and smuggling of fertilisers produced by Belarusian factory Grodno Azot. The European Union had imposed sanctions on the company.

investigation resulted in seizure of more than 3,000 tonnes of carbamide, nitrogen fertiliser that was transported by rail and is valued at over EUR 2 million. Searches were carried out at Lithuanian companies in three cities, which are suspected to have participated in illicit schemes to help circumvent international sanctions.