On Tuesday 27 and Wednesday 28 May 2025, Lithuanian authorities launched a wide-ranging operation to investigate potential exploitation within the road transport sector. Searches, interviews, surprise inspections and raids were conducted across the country, although, according to an official statement, authorities are unable to disclose too many details so as not to jeopardise the outcome of the investigation.
The operation was coordinated by the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office, the department for organised crime and corruption, the labour inspectorate and the border guard service. As outlined on the prosecutor's website, the preliminary investigation was launched following a report alleging criminal activity by a company offering freight transport services. The investigation was subsequently extended to other firms within the transport sector, all suspected of unlawful practices such as labour exploitation, document forgery and fraudulent management of financial accounts.
According to the information released, the transport companies under investigation employed third-country nationals who were allegedly denied even the most basic human and labour rights, forced to work without a fixed salary or under illegal and gruelling shifts and schedules. The workers were reportedly hired using falsified documents submitted to various state institutions. These documents are believed to have been supplied by agencies specialising in the recruitment of drivers from third countries and, as revealed in previous investigations, were sometimes issued to drivers in exchange for payments of several thousand euros.
Initial reports in local media indicate that authorities have identified more than thirty victims, all from Central Asia, in what appears to be a fully-fledged trafficking ring. One of the companies involved, Bleiras Logistics of Vilnius, has expressed its willingness to support the investigation and, as stated to the press, will provide full cooperation to the authorities.
“We have always cooperated and will continue to cooperate with all Lithuanian law enforcement and officials. We have already handed over all the necessary documentation to both the authorities and relevant institutions and will continue to do so. We attach no particular significance to the events of yesterday and continue to operate as normal. We are ready not only to provide all information required for the investigation but also to work in full cooperation with the country’s law enforcement agencies.” The prosecutor's office, for its part, has announced in its statement that the first formal notices of investigation will soon be issued.
Marco Martinelli
