On May 16, 2009, an attempt of illegal tapping to the product pipeline Ilukste – Ventspils was reported in Birzai District. The product pipeline, owned and operated by AB Mažeikių Nafta, is used for transportation of diesel fuel from Russia to Latvia.

The thieves tried to tap to the pipeline on the Apaščia River bottom, near Jonava village. The intruders failed to tap to the pipeline, however, during the incident some amount of diesel fuel was released into the environment. AB Mažeikų Nafta emergency response team took immediate actions: stopped diesel fuel flow into the river, deployed booms, which prevented from spread of pollutants to the village, and started remediation of consequences of illegal tapping attempt.

It has been the second time this year, when as a result of illegal tapping to the product pipeline petroleum products are released to the environment.