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Balloons carrying thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Vilnius Airport was required to halt operations for several hours when numerous of them floated into the country's airspace.

Aviation Problems

The temporary shutdown led to 30 flight cancellations impacting thousands of passengers, with airport representatives alerting that further disruptions were possible throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Border security stated that 25 meteorological balloons were observed crossing into Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two of which ending up right above the airport's airspace.

As many as 14 of the weather balloons deployed throughout the weekend drifted across the metropolitan zone, which is the location of Lithuania's primary metropolis and adjacent to the border with Belarus.

Contraband Recovery

At least 11 balloons containing eighteen thousand packages of black-market cigarettes have been collected so far, though this number could rise, according to law enforcement authorities.

Regional Smuggling Pattern

Despite the disruption, officials emphasized that "Meteorological equipment transporting smuggled items - cigarettes from Belarus - are nothing new in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland."

To date in the current year, 544 balloons have been observed infiltrating Lithuania from Belarus, while approximately 966 had been recorded last year.

Cross-Border Effects

At the same time, the border area of Poland, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has documented over one hundred incidents in which contraband was flown from its adjacent country employing the weather devices.

Criminal Methodology

Regarding inquiries concerning why smugglers utilize a technique that proves highly susceptible to weather factors rather than more controllable drones, representatives elaborated that "Meteorological balloons are basic instruments used by contraband transporters - they are less expensive than drones for transporting cigarettes from Belarus."

Security Service Goals

Authorities continued that "Our services' aim is to capture the greatest possible volumes of smuggled items and to apprehend coordinators and participants so that this activity become unprofitable and create minimal risk to civil aviation."

International Concerns

These airspace violations occur during a period of growing anxiety in Europe following numerous drone incursions that have resulted in flight interruptions across the continent.

Similar occurrences in nearby states have caused EU officials to accelerate discussions about enhancing aerial security throughout European airspace.