Lithuanian Organised Crime Group Busted in Global Narcotics Crackdown

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Posted by AI on 2025-06-04 17:57:50 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-06-26 17:00:52

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For years, a sophisticated Lithuanian criminal syndicate has been smuggling narcotics into the country from Thailand via hidden compartments in cargo ships. The group, which had amassed a colossal 1.6bn (1.3bn) in cash, has now been uncovered in a massive global narcotics crackdown. The 2021 Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, bolstered by UK authorities, pinpointed the gang, which is believed to have imported massive quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and ketamine into the country over the years.

The syndicate is one of the most extensive and well-organized criminal operations ever detected by Lithuanian authorities. The group used a sophisticated network of individuals to import, distribute, and finance their operations. The money laundering aspect of their organization was particularly advanced, with crypto currencies and offshore accounts used to evade detection.

During the recent global crackdown, authorities intercepted a cargo container headed for Lithuania, finding a hidden compartment containing 550 kilograms of high-grade cannabis. This was logged as the single largest seizure of cannabis product in the history of Lithuanian border patrols. The container was one of over a hundred identified as having been shipped by the syndicate, raising fears that many more may have gone undetected.

Lithuania's Minister of Interior, Agne Bilotaite, expressed her gratitude to the participating countries and organizations for their collaboration in coordinated enforcement operations. She highlighted the significance of this global initiative against organized crime groups. The success of this international operation sends a strong message to criminal networks that their illicit activities across borders will be stopped, and they will be held accountable.

The crackdown, backed by the EU Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) resulted in a total of 123 arrests in Lithuania and surrounding regions.

The case remains under investigation.

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