Cigarette-smuggling balloons force closure of Lithuanian airport

Vilnius airport closed overnight for safety reasons after latest incursion of balloons from Belarus

Dozens of balloons used by smugglers to transport cigarettes from Belarus into Lithuania forced the temporary closure of Vilnius airport overnight.

The Lithuanian capital's airport was closed from 11pm local time on Tuesday to 6.30am on Wednesday. Smugglers use the balloons to send Belarusian cigarettes into the European Union, where tobacco products are more expensive.