A 44-year-old Polish citizen was apprehended by Lithuanian border guards near Druskininkai on Wednesday while attempting to illegally enter Belarus using a makeshift wooden ladder and carrying significant undeclared cash.
The Border Apprehension
The arrest occurred approximately 200 meters from the Belarusian border near the village of Jaskonias. Lithuanian border officials discovered a bicycle, bags, a sleeping bag, and personal belongings belonging to the man.
Upon inspection, guards found a hammer, knives, and nails in the suspect’s possession. Most notably, they recovered envelopes containing US dollars and Polish zloty with a total value of nearly 60,000 euros.
Illegal Crossing Attempt
The detainee admitted he intended to use a homemade wooden ladder found at the scene to scale the border barrier. The 44-year-old is now in temporary custody facing charges of attempted illegal border crossing and smuggling.
If convicted, the man faces up to eight years in prison. The confiscated funds are currently being held at the Orany border crossing point.
Increased Border Activity
Meanwhile, the Polish Border Guard reported the detention of 14 individuals—ten from Pakistan and four from Afghanistan—who crossed illegally from Lithuania into Poland on Friday. These individuals lacked valid travel documents.
Following a border meeting, the migrants were returned to the Lithuanian side. Since the beginning of 2026, officers from the Podlaskie Border Guard Unit have intercepted over 330 people crossing the Polish-Lithuanian border illegally.