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Balloons carrying thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Lithuania's primary air hub was forced to close for an extended period when dozens of them drifted across the airspace of Lithuania.

Flight Disruptions

The temporary shutdown led to the cancellation of 30 flights affecting thousands of passengers, with authorities cautioning that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Officials confirmed that twenty-five weather balloons were observed crossing into Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two balloons ending up directly over the airport's airspace.

As many as 14 of the weather balloons launched over the weekend passed through the metropolitan zone, which is situated near Lithuania's main urban center and near the frontier with Belarus.

Contraband Recovery

At least 11 balloons containing numerous containers of black-market cigarettes have since been recovered, though this number could rise, according to border security officials.

Regional Smuggling Pattern

While creating issues, officials emphasized that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - cigarettes from Belarus - are common occurrences in neighboring countries."

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

Regional Consequences

Meanwhile, the border area of Poland, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has recorded more than one hundred incidents in which smuggled items were delivered from its neighbor using the weather devices.

Illegal Transport Methods

Regarding inquiries concerning why criminal organizations employ a technique that proves especially affected by weather elements rather than more controllable drones, representatives elaborated that "Atmospheric equipment are rudimentary tools used by illegal traders - they are cheaper than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus."

Law Enforcement Objectives

Officials added that "The goal of law enforcement is to seize the largest possible volumes of smuggled items and to arrest masterminds and participants so that this activity become unprofitable and do not pose risk to passenger aircraft."

European Tensions

These airspace violations occur during an era marked by growing anxiety in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have caused air traffic disruption across the region.

Similar occurrences in adjacent nations have led European authorities to speed up talks about strengthening air defences throughout European airspace.