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Balloons carrying numerous packages of cigarettes have interfered with air travel 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 operational halt led to 30 flight cancellations impacting thousands of passengers, with airport representatives alerting that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Officials confirmed that 25 meteorological balloons were detected entering Lithuania from the adjacent country of Belarus, with two of which ending up precisely above the airport's airspace.

As many as 14 of the atmospheric instruments launched over the weekend drifted across the Vilnius area, which is the location of Lithuania's capital city and close to the border with Belarus.

Contraband Recovery

At least 11 balloons transporting 18,000 packs of contraband smoking materials have now been retrieved, though more recoveries are anticipated, according to border security officials.

Regional Smuggling Pattern

Despite the disruption, representatives clarified that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - Belarusian smoking products - are nothing new in neighboring countries."

To date in the current year, over five hundred weather devices have been observed infiltrating Lithuania from Belarus, while nearly a thousand were noted during the prior year.

Regional Consequences

Simultaneously, the border area of Poland, which likewise adjoins Belarus, has registered in excess of numerous instances in which contraband was flown from its border nation utilizing the meteorological equipment.

Criminal Methodology

Regarding inquiries concerning why criminal organizations employ a method that is highly susceptible to weather conditions rather than more controllable drones, officials clarified that "Meteorological balloons are rudimentary tools used by smugglers - they are cheaper than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus."

Border Protection Aims

Authorities continued that "Our services' aim is to seize the largest possible amounts of illegal goods and to detain organisers and perpetrators so that this activity become not financially viable and create minimal risk to commercial air travel."

European Tensions

The recent incidents occur during an era marked by increased concerns in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have created aviation problems across the continent.

Recent incidents in nearby states have caused EU officials to speed up talks about strengthening air defences throughout European airspace.