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Meteorological devices containing numerous packages of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as Vilnius Airport was required to halt operations for hours when dozens of them drifted across the airspace of Lithuania.

Flight Disruptions

The airport closure led to 30 flight cancellations affecting 6,000 passengers, with airport representatives alerting that additional delays could occur throughout Monday.

National Security Measures

Officials confirmed that twenty-five weather 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 launched over the weekend passed through the metropolitan zone, which is situated near Lithuania's main urban center and near the Belarusian boundary.

Smuggled Items Retrieved

A minimum of 11 balloons transporting 18,000 packs of illegal tobacco products have been collected so far, though additional discoveries are expected, according to border security officials.

International Illegal Trade

While creating issues, officials emphasized that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - cigarettes from Belarus - are common occurrences in the Baltic region and Poland."

To date in the current year, over five hundred weather devices have been recorded entering Lithuania from Belarus, while nearly a thousand were documented the previous year.

Neighboring Country Impact

Meanwhile, the north-eastern Polish territory, which also borders Belarus, has recorded more than numerous instances in which illegal goods were transported from its neighbor using the balloons.

Illegal Transport Methods

When questioned about why smugglers utilize a technique that proves especially affected by weather factors rather than simpler to operate drones, representatives elaborated that "Meteorological balloons are basic instruments used by illegal traders - they are more economical than drones for moving tobacco products from Belarus."

Law Enforcement Objectives

Officials added that "Our services' aim is to seize the largest possible quantities of contraband and to arrest masterminds and perpetrators so that these practices become economically unsustainable and create minimal risk to civil aviation."

Regional Security Context

These airspace violations occur during an era marked by increased concerns in Europe following numerous drone incursions that have resulted in flight interruptions across the region.

Similar occurrences in nearby states have caused EU officials to fast-track conversations about strengthening air defences throughout the region.