🔗 Share this article Meteorological Balloons Used to Contraband Cigarettes Closed Vilnius Airport At least 11 of the meteorological balloons, containing thousands of packs of illegal cigarettes, have been collected so far Weather balloons transporting thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Lithuania's primary air hub was forced to close for an extended period when dozens of them floated into the country's airspace. Flight Disruptions The operational halt led to 30 flight cancellations disrupting six thousand travelers, with officials warning that further disruptions were possible throughout Monday. Border Security Response Authorities reported that 25 meteorological balloons were observed crossing into Lithuania from neighboring Belarus, with a pair of them ending up directly over the airport's airspace. As many as 14 of the weather balloons deployed throughout the weekend passed through the metropolitan zone, which is the location of Lithuania's main urban center and adjacent to the Belarusian boundary. Smuggled Items Retrieved A minimum of 11 balloons carrying numerous containers of contraband smoking materials have now been retrieved, though additional discoveries are expected, according to law enforcement authorities. International Illegal Trade Despite the disruption, officials emphasized that "Balloons with contraband - Belarusian smoking products - are nothing new in neighboring countries." To date in the current year, over five hundred weather devices have been documented crossing into Lithuania from Belarus, while approximately 966 had been noted during the prior year. Regional Consequences Simultaneously, the north-eastern Podlaskie region, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has recorded more than one hundred incidents in which illegal goods were transported from its border nation utilizing the meteorological equipment. Illegal Transport Methods In response to questions about why criminal organizations employ a approach that remains highly susceptible to weather conditions rather than simpler to operate drones, authorities explained that "Atmospheric equipment are basic instruments used by illegal traders - they are more economical than drones for transporting cigarettes from Belarus." Border Protection Aims Authorities continued that "The goal of law enforcement is to capture the greatest possible volumes of smuggled items and to arrest masterminds and participants so that such operations become unprofitable and do not pose risk to civil aviation." European Tensions These airspace violations occur during a period of heightened tension in Europe following various aerial device infiltrations that have caused air traffic disruption across European nations. Similar occurrences in adjacent nations have caused EU officials to accelerate discussions about strengthening air defences throughout European airspace.