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The Panevėžys Regional Court has announced a verdict in a criminal case where three individuals were accused of illegal possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances with intent to distribute, and one of them was also charged with drug distribution to a minor. The court imposed strict custodial sentences on two of the accused, finding them guilty of serious and very serious crimes.

S. M. was found guilty of two criminal acts: illegal possession of narcotic and psychotropic substances with intent to distribute, and distribution of narcotic and psychotropic substances to a minor. He was sentenced to a final combined penalty of 5 years and 6 months of imprisonment and a fine of €3,350. L. G., who was found guilty of illegal possession of narcotic substances with intent to distribute, was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months of imprisonment. The third defendant, V. V., was fined €4,200 for possession of a small quantity of psychotropic substance for personal use.

The case established that S. M. and L. G. acted as accomplices—they jointly purchased narcotic and psychotropic substances via the "Telegram" app and distributed them to obtain funds for their own consumption. L. G. was the instigator of this illegal scheme and, as evidenced by the money movement in his account, the main manager of the funds. Correspondence and photos found on both defendants' phones confirmed their criminal activity.

The distribution of drugs by S. M. to the minor A. S. was recognised as a particularly serious crime. Evidence gathered in the case indicates that the minor freely consumed narcotic and psychotropic substances belonging to S. M. in his rented apartment, as well as in an abandoned unfinished building. Although A. S. testified that she started using drugs earlier, S. M. was aware of her age (14 years old) but still invited her to come over or meet, promising to have narcotics for her to smoke or consume.

The Court concluded that S. M. acted with direct intent, stating that: "S. M., by promising A. S. that he would have narcotic and psychotropic substances during the meeting and by allowing her to consume the narcotic and psychotropic substances belonging to him (S. M.), knew and understood that he was thereby distributing them to a minor and intended to act in this manner."

In imposing the sentences, the court took into account the acknowledgment of guilt and sincere remorse of both main defendants, recognising this as a mitigating circumstance. However, their liability is aggravated by the fact that the crime was committed by a group of accomplices, and in L. G.'s case—by the fact that despite being very young, he failed to draw conclusions and violated the conditions of his restraining order during the trial.

In the case of V. V., although he admitted the fact of drug possession, the court dismissed his remorse because he avoided giving explanations about the circumstances of the drug acquisition, and therefore no mitigating circumstances were established for him.

The judgment of the Panevėžys Regional Court may be appealed to the Lithuanian Court of Appeals within 20 days.

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