VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) – Lithuanian authorities announced on Tuesday that they have arrested 21 individuals believed to be connected to a sophisticated criminal network involved in smuggling cigarettes using specially equipped weather balloons. These balloons were allegedly launched from Belarus, a country allied with Russia, and have been reported to have violated Lithuanian airspace in recent weeks.
According to a statement from the Lithuanian general prosecutor's office, law enforcement officials carried out over 80 searches during the investigation, resulting in the seizure of cigarettes bearing Belarusian excise stamps, various SIM cards, communication and tracking signal jammers, and firearms. Furthermore, luxury cars and valuable properties were also confiscated as part of the operation.
Earlier in the month, Lithuania had declared a national emergency due to security concerns arising from these meteorological balloons dispatched from Belarus. The balloons prompted repeated shutdowns of the country's main airport, leaving thousands of travelers stranded. Additionally, the situation led to the closure of border crossings between Lithuania and Belarus, reflecting heightened security alertness in Europe amid concerns about previous intrusions into NATO airspace, particularly tied to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The operation on Tuesday involved more than 140 personnel from the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau, alongside Vilnius police and special anti-terrorism units. Prosecutors stated that the alleged smuggling network operated with a high level of organization and secrecy. They described the network as being characterized by stringent conspiratorial practices and a clear distribution of roles among its members. It was noted that cigarette smuggling was conducted systematically and in a coordinated manner under the close supervision of its leaders and their assistants.
Investigators alleged that the organizers of the smuggling operation may have had direct contacts with accomplices in Belarus. Under suitable weather conditions, these accomplices would launch balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes. The use of GPS tracking and specialized software allowed for meticulous monitoring of the balloons' movements. Prosecutors reported that the exact landing coordinates in Lithuania were communicated to the individuals on the ground responsible for retrieving the contraband.
Upon collection, the contraband cigarettes were to be delivered to predetermined locations or handed over to others involved in the illicit activities. As a result of the extensive investigation and operational crackdown, all 21 suspects face multiple charges, including participation in a criminal organization, illegal handling and smuggling of excise goods, as well as aiding a foreign entity in actions against Lithuania.
This operation underscores the ongoing challenges Lithuania faces regarding border security and illicit smuggling activities, particularly in the context of heightened regional tensions and security risks associated with Belarus's proximity to Lithuania.
