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Weather balloons transporting numerous packages of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Lithuania's primary air hub was forced to close for several hours when dozens of them entered the national airspace.

Flight Disruptions

The airport closure led to 30 flight cancellations affecting thousands of passengers, with officials warning that further disruptions were possible throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Authorities reported that multiple atmospheric balloons were detected entering Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two balloons ending up right above the airport's airspace.

Approximately 14 of the meteorological devices deployed throughout the weekend floated over the metropolitan zone, which is home to Lithuania's capital city and adjacent to the Belarusian boundary.

Smuggled Items Retrieved

No fewer than 11 balloons containing eighteen thousand packages of contraband smoking materials have since been recovered, though more recoveries are anticipated, according to customs agents.

Regional Smuggling Pattern

While creating issues, officials emphasized that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - cigarettes from Belarus - are common occurrences in the Baltic region and Poland."

So far this year, numerous meteorological balloons have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were noted during the prior year.

Neighboring Country Impact

Meanwhile, the north-eastern Polish territory, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has documented over one hundred incidents in which smuggled items were delivered from its neighbor using the balloons.

Smuggling Techniques

In response to questions about why criminals use a approach that remains highly susceptible to weather conditions rather than more controllable drones, authorities explained that "Weather devices are rudimentary tools used by illegal traders - they are more economical than drones for carrying smoking materials from Belarus."

Law Enforcement Objectives

Authorities continued that "The objective of our agencies is to seize the largest possible amounts of illegal goods and to detain organisers and participants so that such operations become economically unsustainable and do not pose risk to passenger aircraft."

European Tensions

Such border infiltrations occur during a time of increased concerns in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have caused air traffic disruption across the continent.

Recent incidents in neighboring countries have led European authorities to fast-track conversations about improving airspace protection throughout the continent.