To strengthen border control capabilities and expand the arsenal of anti-smuggling tools, the US-capital company Philip Morris Baltic has donated 7 industrial Autel Alpha drone systems to the Lithuanian government.
The drones will be used by the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, an organization under the supervision of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence. The received drones are specially adapted for carrying out complex tasks both during the day and at night. The total value of the support exceeds 150 thousand euros.
Taking part in the drone handover ceremony, Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginiene expressed confidence that modern drone technologies will help in the fight against meteorological balloons that illegally cross the state border and are used to bring smuggled cigarettes into the country.
“Smuggling causes enormous damage to the state, society, and business. Smugglers’ methods are evolving, becoming increasingly sophisticated and daring, and they are also supported by a hostile regime in our neighboring country. Therefore, I am truly pleased that institutions and responsible business representatives not only reach agreements but are cooperating ever more often in pursuit of a common goal – security and the fight against the shadow economy. I am convinced that the technologies handed over to the Riflemen’s Union will strengthen the organization’s capabilities and be very useful in the fight against smuggling,” said Prime Minister I. Ruginiene.
On 16 March, during a meeting with one of the largest investors in Lithuania, “Philip Morris International” Vice President for the Northern and Eastern Europe region, Michal Mierzejewski, I. Ruginiene discussed the company’s further investment prospects in the country, business challenges, as well as the fight against smuggling.
The drones will be used by the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, which assists officials in strengthening national security. The unmanned aircraft are equipped with high-resolution optical cameras and thermal cameras, and they can climb higher than 5 km. They are capable of accurately detecting high-flying objects.
As noted after the meeting by Philip Morris International Vice President for the Northern and Eastern Europe region, M. Mierzejewski, this meeting is an example of close cooperation between the state and business, which makes it possible to tackle common challenges jointly.
“Due to the illegal trade in tobacco and nicotine products, the state loses more than 100 million euros in potential tax revenue every year. We are one of the leading taxpayers in the country. And we can also contribute to national security in other necessary ways. We listened to the government’s needs and responded to them, thereby strengthening both the state’s and the market’s resilience to external threats,” said M. Mierzejewski.
According to Geraldas Pukelis, Deputy Commander of the King Mindaugas 10th Riflemen Unit of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, national airspace and border security are unimaginable today without modern technologies. “The riflemen are those who do more than is required, more than is expected of them. Therefore, we value organizations that support the riflemen community and strengthen the volunteer movement. We will use the provided resources meaningfully, reinforcing drone capabilities.”
Philip Morris Baltic is providing support to Lithuania for strengthening the state border for the second time. At the end of last year, more than 100 area surveillance devices worth around 120 thousand euros were handed over to the State Border Guard Service.
Originally published at https://inc-baltics.com/cigaresu-razotajs-lietuvai-davina-dronus-cinai-pret-kontrabandas-cigaretem/
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