Lithuanian police have uncovered one of the largest synthetic drug laboratories in the Baltic region, seizing more than 500kg of methamphetamine, over 300kg of amphetamine, and thousands of liters of chemicals during a three-day operation near Vilnius.
Authorities suspect that a Dutch national of Turkish origin ran the laboratory with the help of three Lithuanian nationals. Investigators believe the group operated an international drug supply network and produced synthetic drugs on an industrial scale.
“[Drugs] were being produced on an almost industrial scale,” Saulius Briginas, Deputy Chief of the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, told journalists on Wednesday.
Police recovered more than 3,000 liters of BMK, a chemical used to manufacture amphetamines, along with over 500kg of methamphetamine, more than 300kg of amphetamine, and around 4.5kg of the synthetic drug 3-CMC. According to Briginas, the seized substances could produce more than 4 million individual doses.
The drugs have an estimated wholesale value of more than €2 million. However, their combined street value could be ten times higher, Briginas said.
Authorities believe the group intended to supply markets across Europe rather than Lithuania alone. The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and the Czech Republic were among the potential destinations.
Investigators also traced the group’s procurement of laboratory equipment and chemicals to China, India, and several European countries. The group reportedly purchased some uncontrolled substances from specialist suppliers in Lithuania.
Police found 380 hydrogen cylinders originating from China at the site. Hydrogen is used in synthetic drug manufacturing, while the group reportedly bought sulphuric acid in shipments of one ton per transaction.
The investigation also led police to intercept a shipment bound for the Czech Republic. Officers discovered 17kg of amphetamine crystals hidden in two plastic containers inside cargo handled by a Lithuanian logistics company.
Under Lithuanian law, illegal production, possession, and smuggling of particularly large quantities of narcotic or psychotropic substances can result in prison sentences of up to 18 years.
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