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Weather balloons transporting a large quantity of cigarettes have caused flight disruptions in Lithuania, as the country's main airport was compelled to shut down for several hours when multiple of them entered the country's airspace.

Aviation Problems

The temporary shutdown led to the cancellation of 30 flights affecting 6,000 passengers, with officials warning that delays might continue throughout Monday.

Border Security Response

Officials confirmed that twenty-five weather balloons were observed crossing into Lithuania from the adjacent country of Belarus, with two of which ending up precisely above the main terminal.

As many as 14 of the weather balloons sent during the weekend floated over the capital region, which is home to Lithuania's main urban center and adjacent to the frontier with Belarus.

Illegal Goods Seizure

No fewer than 11 balloons carrying numerous containers 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, authorities noted that "Weather devices carrying illegal goods - cigarettes from Belarus - are not unusual in Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland."

Since January, over five hundred weather devices have been documented crossing into Lithuania from Belarus, while 966 were noted during the prior year.

Cross-Border Effects

Meanwhile, the border area of Poland, which similarly neighbors Belarus, has documented over 100 cases in which contraband was flown from its border nation utilizing the balloons.

Illegal Transport Methods

When questioned about why criminal organizations employ a approach that remains especially affected by weather conditions rather than easier to manage drones, officials clarified that "Atmospheric equipment are simple mechanisms used by illegal traders - they are more economical than drones for carrying smoking materials from Belarus."

Border Protection Aims

Authorities continued that "Our services' aim is to capture the greatest possible volumes of smuggled items and to apprehend coordinators and involved individuals so that such operations become unprofitable and do not pose risk to civil aviation."

International Concerns

The recent incidents occur during an era marked by heightened tension in Europe following multiple unmanned aircraft violations that have resulted in flight interruptions across European nations.

Similar occurrences in neighboring countries have caused EU officials to speed up talks about improving airspace protection throughout European airspace.