🔗 Share this article Balloons Employed to Smuggle Cigarettes Closed Lithuanian Airport A minimum of 11 of the weather balloons, containing 18,000 packs of black-market cigarettes, have now been retrieved Balloons carrying numerous packages of cigarettes have interfered with air travel in Lithuania, as the country's main airport was forced to close for an extended period when multiple of them floated into the country's airspace. Flight Disruptions The temporary shutdown led to 30 flight cancellations affecting thousands of passengers, with officials warning that further disruptions were possible throughout Monday. National Security Measures Officials confirmed that multiple atmospheric balloons were detected entering Lithuania from the adjacent country of Belarus, with two balloons ending up precisely above the main terminal. As many as 14 of the meteorological devices launched over the weekend floated over the metropolitan zone, which is home to Lithuania's primary metropolis and close to the frontier with Belarus. Illegal Goods Seizure No fewer than 11 balloons containing 18,000 packs of contraband smoking materials have been collected so far, though this number could rise, according to law enforcement authorities. International Illegal Trade While creating issues, authorities noted that "Balloons with contraband - Belarusian smoking products - are nothing new in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland." Since January, 544 balloons have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, while approximately 966 had been recorded last year. Neighboring Country Impact Simultaneously, the north-eastern Polish territory, which likewise adjoins Belarus, has recorded more than one hundred incidents in which illegal goods were transported from its adjacent country employing the weather devices. Smuggling Techniques In response to questions about why smugglers utilize a technique that proves especially affected by weather factors rather than easier to manage drones, authorities explained that "Weather devices are rudimentary tools used by smugglers - they are cheaper than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus." Security Service Goals Authorities continued that "Our services' aim is to capture the greatest possible amounts of illegal goods and to apprehend coordinators and participants so that these practices become not financially viable and create minimal risk to commercial air travel." European Tensions The recent incidents occur during an era marked by heightened tension in Europe following numerous drone incursions that have resulted in flight interruptions across the region. Parallel situations in adjacent nations have caused EU officials to speed up talks about strengthening air defences throughout European airspace.