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Balloons carrying thousands of packs of cigarettes have caused flight disruptions in Lithuania, as Vilnius Airport was forced to close for several hours when dozens of them entered the national airspace.

Aviation Problems

The temporary shutdown led to thirty canceled flights impacting thousands of passengers, with airport representatives alerting that delays might continue throughout Monday.

National Security Measures

Border security stated that 25 meteorological balloons were detected entering Lithuania from the border with Belarus, with two of which ending up precisely above the aviation facility.

Up to 14 of the weather balloons sent during the weekend passed through the metropolitan zone, which is home to Lithuania's capital city and near the Belarusian boundary.

Smuggled Items Retrieved

A minimum of 11 balloons carrying eighteen thousand packages of contraband smoking materials have now been retrieved, though this number could rise, according to customs agents.

International Illegal Trade

Although causing problems, representatives clarified that "Meteorological equipment transporting smuggled items - Belarusian smoking products - are common occurrences in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland."

To date in the current year, over five hundred weather devices 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 also borders Belarus, has documented over one hundred incidents in which contraband was flown from its neighbor using the balloons.

Illegal Transport Methods

Regarding inquiries concerning why criminals use a method that is especially affected by weather factors rather than more controllable drones, officials clarified that "Meteorological balloons are rudimentary tools used by smugglers - they are cheaper than drones for transporting cigarettes from Belarus."

Law Enforcement Objectives

Representatives further stated that "The objective of our agencies is to capture the greatest possible volumes of smuggled items and to arrest masterminds and perpetrators so that these practices become economically unsustainable and create minimal risk to passenger aircraft."

European Tensions

The recent incidents occur during a period of growing anxiety in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have caused air traffic disruption across the region.

Similar occurrences in nearby states have led European authorities to fast-track conversations about strengthening air defences throughout European airspace.