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Weather balloons transporting thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Lithuania's primary air hub was required to halt operations for hours when dozens of them drifted across the country's airspace.

Flight Disruptions

The temporary shutdown led to the cancellation of 30 flights disrupting six thousand travelers, with airport representatives alerting that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.

Law Enforcement Actions

Officials confirmed that multiple atmospheric balloons were spotted infiltrating Lithuania from neighboring Belarus, with two balloons ending up directly over the airport's airspace.

Up to 14 of the meteorological devices deployed throughout the weekend passed through the capital region, which is home to Lithuania's capital city and close to the frontier with Belarus.

Contraband Recovery

At least 11 balloons containing numerous containers of contraband smoking materials have now been retrieved, though additional discoveries are expected, according to law enforcement authorities.

International Illegal Trade

Despite the disruption, representatives clarified that "Balloons with contraband - tobacco products originating in Belarus - are not unusual in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland."

Since January, numerous meteorological balloons have been observed infiltrating Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were noted during the prior year.

Neighboring Country Impact

At the same time, the north-eastern Polish territory, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has recorded more than 100 cases in which smuggled items were delivered from its border nation utilizing the meteorological equipment.

Illegal Transport Methods

Regarding inquiries concerning why criminal organizations employ a method that is highly susceptible to weather factors rather than simpler to operate drones, authorities explained that "Atmospheric equipment are simple mechanisms used by contraband transporters - they are less expensive than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus."

Law Enforcement Objectives

Officials added that "Our services' aim is to seize the largest possible volumes of smuggled items and to apprehend coordinators and involved individuals so that this activity become economically unsustainable and do not pose risk to civil aviation."

European Tensions

Such border infiltrations occur during a period of heightened tension in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have created aviation problems across European nations.

Recent incidents in neighboring countries have led European authorities to speed up talks about improving airspace protection throughout European airspace.