Lithuania, a small Baltic nation not typically associated with international drug trafficking, has become an unlikely focal point in a major crackdown on global narcotics. In December 2024, the US government took sweeping action against the global drug trade by imposing sanctions on five Lithuanians accused of coordinating a massive drug smuggling operation that spanned three continents. These sanctions, however, only hint at the scale of the alleged trafficking ring, which has raised questions about Lithuania’s growing involvement in global cocaine distribution.

The US sanctions targeted a group of individuals, including Rokas Karpis, a name that has already garnered significant attention in Lithuania due to his criminal history. Karpis, whose previous criminal exploits made him a notorious figure, is accused of playing a central role in running a complex network of drug shipments. This network allegedly involves not only Lithuanian operatives but also major international cartels, including Mexico’s infamous Sinaloa Cartel.

Karpis’ involvement in criminal activities dates back to his arrest in New Zealand in 2001. He was detained for drug smuggling but dramatically fled the country using a false identity while out on bail. He had been operating under the name Rokas Karpavičius at the time. After evading capture for nearly a decade, Karpis was finally apprehended in Latvia in 2011 and extradited to New Zealand. During his trial, local media dubbed him the “global kingpin” of a drug trafficking and money laundering syndicate. He was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison but was paroled in 2016 and deported back to Lithuania.

Despite his release, suspicions lingered that Karpis continued his illicit activities. Journalists from OCCRP and its Lithuanian partner, Siena.lt, began investigating Karpis’ activities after learning that both Australian and Colombian authorities had linked him to a major drug shipment. According to a memo found within the NarcoFiles, a leak of emails from the Colombian prosecutor’s office, Karpis is suspected of being........

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