🔗 Share this article Balloons Used to Contraband Tobacco Products Closed Vilnius Airport No fewer than 11 of the meteorological balloons, containing 18,000 packages of contraband cigarettes, have since been recovered Meteorological devices containing thousands of packs of cigarettes have interfered with air travel in Lithuania, as Lithuania's primary air hub was required to halt operations for hours when numerous of them entered the national airspace. Aviation Problems The airport closure led to 30 flight cancellations affecting thousands of passengers, with airport representatives alerting that additional delays could occur throughout Monday. National Security Measures Authorities reported that multiple atmospheric balloons were detected entering Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two balloons ending up right above the aviation facility. Up to 14 of the meteorological devices deployed throughout the weekend drifted across the capital region, which is the location of Lithuania's capital city and adjacent to the border with Belarus. Contraband Recovery At least 11 balloons containing 18,000 packs of black-market cigarettes have now been retrieved, though this number could rise, according to border security officials. Regional Smuggling Pattern Although causing problems, authorities noted that "Meteorological equipment transporting smuggled items - Belarusian smoking products - are nothing new in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland." Since January, over five hundred weather devices have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were noted during the prior year. Neighboring Country Impact At the same time, the border area of Poland, which also borders Belarus, has documented over 100 cases in which contraband was flown from its neighbor using the meteorological equipment. Criminal Methodology Regarding inquiries concerning why criminal organizations employ a technique that proves particularly vulnerable to weather elements rather than more controllable drones, officials clarified that "Weather devices are simple mechanisms used by smugglers - they are cheaper than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus." Border Protection Aims Representatives further stated that "The objective of our agencies is to seize the largest possible amounts of illegal goods and to arrest masterminds and perpetrators so that this activity become unprofitable and present no risk to passenger aircraft." Regional Security Context Such border infiltrations occur during an era marked by growing anxiety in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have caused air traffic disruption across the continent. Parallel situations in neighboring countries have caused EU officials to speed up talks about strengthening air defences throughout European airspace.