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Balloons carrying thousands of packs of cigarettes have disrupted flights in Lithuania, as the country's main airport was forced to close for an extended period when numerous 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 further disruptions were possible throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Authorities reported that 25 meteorological balloons were spotted infiltrating Lithuania from the adjacent country of Belarus, with two balloons ending up right above the airport's airspace.

Approximately 14 of the weather balloons launched over the weekend passed through the metropolitan zone, which is home to Lithuania's main urban center and adjacent to the Belarusian boundary.

Contraband Recovery

At least 11 balloons containing 18,000 packs of contraband smoking materials have since been recovered, though additional discoveries are expected, according to law enforcement authorities.

Regional Smuggling Pattern

While creating issues, officials emphasized that "Meteorological equipment transporting smuggled items - Belarusian smoking products - are nothing new in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland."

So far this year, over five hundred weather devices have been observed infiltrating Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were noted during the prior year.

Neighboring Country Impact

Meanwhile, the border area of Poland, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has recorded more than 100 cases in which smuggled items were delivered from its adjacent country employing the meteorological equipment.

Illegal Transport Methods

When questioned about why smugglers utilize a technique that proves particularly vulnerable to weather factors rather than simpler to operate drones, authorities explained that "Atmospheric equipment are rudimentary tools used by illegal traders - they are less expensive than drones for carrying smoking materials from Belarus."

Border Protection Aims

Officials added that "Our services' aim is to capture the greatest possible quantities of contraband and to apprehend coordinators and involved individuals so that this activity become not financially viable and present no risk to passenger aircraft."

International Concerns

Such border infiltrations occur during an era marked by growing anxiety in Europe following numerous drone incursions that have caused air traffic disruption across the continent.

Recent incidents in neighboring countries have prompted European leaders to speed up talks about improving airspace protection throughout the region.