by EuroNews
It’s published
•update
Lithuanian Customs Office’s criminal services have reported 11 detention on suspicion of violating the regime of international sanctions against Russia.
The agency said in a statement it had revealed “an especially bold plan to avoid international sanctions against Russia.”
The operation was carried out in cooperation with Portugal and Bulgarian law enforcement agencies and coordination with Eurojust and Europole.
Research shows that the company has developed a complex shadow scheme to supply Russia with water treatment equipment intended for use by Russian petroleum industry companies.
The official clients and winners of Kaunas Company’s products were from a company from Portugal. However, the goods were actually transported to Bulgaria, from which they were delivered to Türkiye and then Russia.
“The water purification equipment was designed, assembled and manufactured from components produced in the EU and China. This equipment is aimed at specific industrial facilities in Russia. The Kaunas company itself has close and permanent ties with economic organizations operating in Russia and has actively participated in projects realized in Russia.
Eleven employees of the Kaunas-based company have been detained, including its manager and drivers, who are citizens of Moldovan and Bulgarian. During the search, several tons of equipment worth around 2 million euros were seized. Two trucks equipped with the above equipment were also taken into custody. One is on the way to Kaunas and the other to the Lithuanian Polish border. A third commission has been detained in Bulgaria.
After questioning, two of them were issued precautions after the suspect was released – written business not to leave the country.
Searches were also conducted in cooperation with Portuguese and Bulgarian police officers. In Portugal, the fictitious recipient of the filtration device, Bulgaria – at the cargo terminal – a warehouse where Kaunas products are stored.
A pre-trial investigation into international sanctions violations being carried out by the Kaunas Regional Public Prosecutor’s Office is underway.