🔗 Share this article Meteorological Balloons Used to Contraband Tobacco Products Closed Lithuanian Airport No fewer than 11 of the meteorological balloons, carrying 18,000 packages of contraband cigarettes, have been collected so far Balloons carrying numerous packages of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as the country's main airport was forced to close for hours when multiple of them drifted across the airspace of Lithuania. Flight Disruptions The temporary shutdown led to the cancellation of 30 flights impacting 6,000 passengers, with airport representatives alerting 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 main terminal. Up to 14 of the meteorological devices deployed throughout the weekend floated over the metropolitan zone, which is the location of Lithuania's main urban center and adjacent to the border with Belarus. Contraband Recovery No fewer than 11 balloons carrying eighteen thousand packages of illegal tobacco products have since been recovered, though additional discoveries are expected, according to customs agents. Cross-Border Contraband Trend Although causing problems, officials emphasized that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - cigarettes from Belarus - are common occurrences in the Baltic region and Poland." To date in the current year, over five hundred weather devices have been observed infiltrating Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were noted during the prior year. Neighboring Country Impact Meanwhile, the north-eastern Podlaskie region, which also borders Belarus, has registered in excess of numerous instances in which illegal goods were transported from its adjacent country employing the meteorological equipment. Criminal Methodology In response to questions about why criminals use a technique that proves especially affected by weather factors rather than easier to manage drones, officials clarified that "Weather devices are simple mechanisms used by illegal traders - they are less expensive than drones for transporting cigarettes from Belarus." Security Service Goals Authorities continued that "Our services' aim is to seize the largest possible amounts of illegal goods and to detain organisers and participants so that this activity become economically unsustainable and create minimal risk to passenger aircraft." European Tensions The recent incidents occur during an era marked by increased concerns in Europe following various aerial device infiltrations that have caused air traffic disruption across the continent. Similar occurrences in adjacent nations have prompted European leaders to speed up talks about improving airspace protection throughout the region.