Polish authorities arrested six people for attempting to smuggle a device that could be used in combat drone production to Russia via Belarus.
Security Operation Against Drone Parts Smuggling
On February 18, 2026, Poland’s Internal Security Agency (ABW) and the Łódzki Customs and Tax Office conducted searches and arrests as part of two parallel investigations supervised by the Łódzki Branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office.
The operation targeted individuals attempting to illegally export components that could be used in military technology.
Suspects and Charges
Four citizens of Belarus and two Polish citizens were arrested during the operation. The suspects are accused of attempting to smuggle a device for automating the production of integrated circuits to Russia via Belarus territory.
According to the prosecutor’s statement, such integrated circuits are used, among other things, “in the assembly of combat drones.” Prosecutor Katarzyna Calów-Jaszewska confirmed that the actions were carried out “on the order of the prosecutor of the Łódzki Branch of the National Prosecutor’s Office.”
Legal Framework and Penalties
The prosecutor presented charges including attempt and provisions of the so-called sanction law, as well as provisions of the Penal Code and the Fiscal Penal Code.
The sanction law introduces special restrictions and bans aimed at preventing support for Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and protecting national security. It includes, among other things, “a ban on exporting devices of strategic importance that could be used in the production of military technology.”
Violating these provisions is classified as a crime, punishable by imprisonment of no less than 3 years.
Court Actions and Seized Assets
Two days after the arrests, on February 20, 2026, the District Court for Łódź-Śródmieście applied temporary detention for three suspects for three months. The other three suspects were subject to other preventive measures: police supervision, financial guarantee, and a ban on leaving the country.
During the investigation, property was also secured, including cash in various currencies, with an estimated total value of approximately 400,000 złoty.
The Prosecutor’s Office stated that the proceedings are “developing” and that previous actions by the National Tax Administration helped prevent the smuggling attempt, potentially disrupting potential military equipment supplies to Russian troops in eastern Ukraine.
