🔗 Share this article Meteorological Balloons Utilized to Illegally Transport Cigarettes Closed Vilnius Airport A minimum of 11 of the weather balloons, containing 18,000 packs of illegal cigarettes, have been collected so far Balloons carrying thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as the country's main airport was compelled to shut down for an extended period when numerous of them entered the country's airspace. Aviation Problems The operational halt led to thirty canceled flights impacting six thousand travelers, with airport representatives alerting that further disruptions were possible throughout Monday. Border Security Response Border security stated that twenty-five weather balloons were spotted infiltrating Lithuania from the adjacent country of Belarus, with a pair of them ending up directly over the main terminal. As many as 14 of the meteorological devices sent during the weekend floated over the metropolitan zone, which is home to Lithuania's main urban center and close to the frontier with Belarus. Illegal Goods Seizure No fewer than 11 balloons containing numerous containers of illegal tobacco products have been collected so far, though this number could rise, according to customs agents. International Illegal Trade Although causing problems, authorities noted that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - tobacco products originating in Belarus - are not unusual in the Baltic region and Poland." So far this year, over five hundred weather devices have been observed infiltrating Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were documented the previous year. Cross-Border Effects Simultaneously, the border area of Poland, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has documented over one hundred incidents in which smuggled items were delivered from its border nation utilizing the weather devices. Criminal Methodology When questioned about why smugglers utilize a method that is especially affected by weather elements rather than more controllable drones, representatives elaborated that "Weather devices are rudimentary tools used by illegal traders - they are cheaper than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus." Border Protection Aims Officials added that "Our services' aim is to confiscate the maximum possible volumes of smuggled items and to apprehend coordinators and participants so that this activity become unprofitable and present no risk to civil aviation." International Concerns Such border infiltrations occur during a time of heightened tension in Europe following various aerial device infiltrations that have created aviation problems across the continent. Parallel situations in neighboring countries have led European authorities to accelerate discussions about enhancing aerial security throughout the region.