Important Message from the General Commissioner of Police Regarding Balloon Smuggling
Lithuanian police have made significant arrests in a balloon smuggling operation, with 27 individuals detained and ongoing surveillance of additional suspects.
Lithuania has turned to the International Civil Aviation Organization regarding smuggling balloon incidents
Lithuania has formally approached the International Civil Aviation Organization, providing evidence of airspace violations conducted from Belarus.
Calmly fishing, he suddenly saw a mysterious 'object'. The fisherman alerted the authorities
A fisherman on Lake Pejpus in Estonia discovered a suspicious white balloon carrying a large number of cigarettes, prompting a police alert.
PPA: Fisherman discovered a balloon with contraband cigarettes on Lake Peipus
A fisherman discovered a balloon on the ice of Lake Peipus carrying contraband cigarettes, likely smuggled from Belarus.
PPA: fishermen discovered a balloon with contraband cigarettes on the ice of Lake Peipsi
A local fisherman discovered a balloon tied to boxes containing 30,000 contraband cigarettes on the ice of Lake Peipsi in Estonia.
NATO's Hybrid Threat Support Team Visited Lithuania
A NATO team focused on combating hybrid threats visited Lithuania, evaluating the situation and planning recommendations for strengthening air defenses against drones and balloon smuggling.
Border Guards Seize Cigarette Smuggling from Belarus Delivered by Balloon: Value β 0.5 Million Euros
Lithuanian border guards have intercepted a balloon-delivered shipment of contraband cigarettes from Belarus, valued at approximately 0.5 million euros.
A resident of Alytus connected to balloon-smuggled contraband was tracked down by both a VSAT dog and cameras in the Δepkeliai swamp
An Alytus resident was caught in the Δepkeliai reserve area for illegal possession of excise goods, having been previously identified as connected to balloon-smuggling activities near the Belarus border.
Objects Similar to Balloons Again Flew from Belarus to Poland
There have been reports of balloon-like objects potentially used for smuggling flying from Belarus into Poland, but authorities assure that the situation is under control and poses no threat to aviation or civilians.
Border Guards in Southern Lithuania Seize 7 Balloon-Powered Shipments, 2 Suspects Detained
Lithuanian border guards seized illegal shipments transported by balloons from Belarus, detaining two suspects in the process.
Record of balloon smuggling leaked; one of seven mired in the ΔepkeliΕ³ swamps for three kilometers
Lithuanian authorities reported a record haul of smuggled cigarettes delivered via balloon, recovering substantial quantities in hard-to-reach swamp areas.
Investigation into Lithuania's balloon saga identifies 28 suspects
Lithuanian authorities have identified 28 suspects, including five alleged gang leaders, related to the case of smuggled balloons arriving from Belarus.
The Same Problems: Smuggled Balloons from Belarus Have Again Flown into Poland
Poland's operational headquarters has noted that the flight trajectories of balloon-like objects were monitored and assessed as not posing a threat to aviation security or Polish citizens.
Four men caught near a landed balloon with smuggled cigarettes in Ukmerge district
Four suspects were apprehended in Ukmerge district after police discovered a hot air balloon carrying approximately six thousand packs of contraband cigarettes marked with Belarusian tax stamps.