Belarusian Smuggling Drone Found in Poland

Polish border guards have discovered a drone launched from the territory of Belarus. The incident occurred on November 5th in a forested area near the town of Krynki, near the border.

According to the Polish Border Guard, a local resident reported the suspicious aircraft. Border guards, police, and firefighters promptly arrived at the scene.

During the inspection of the drone, law enforcement officers found about 400 packs of cigarettes with Belarusian excise stamps inside. The drone was probably used to smuggle tobacco products across the border.

According to Polish border guards, this is the eighteenth case in the Podlaskie Voivodeship since the beginning of the year when drones have been used to smuggle cigarettes.

In addition to drones, smugglers also actively use balloons. Since the beginning of the year, 118 such incidents have been recorded.

In total, drones and balloons used to transport cigarettes worth about 3.4 million zlotys (approximately €800,000 euros) were confiscated in the region. Law enforcement officers detained 29 people in connection with smuggling activities.

Currently, Polish law enforcement agencies are on high alert in regards to drones flying over their territory. In the fall, a group of Russian Gerbera drones flew into Poland from Belarus and were shot down over a NATO country for the first time.