Russian customs authorities have thwarted an attempt to smuggle 6,500 packs of cigarettes into Lithuania using weather balloons, intercepting two suspects before the cargo could be launched across the border.


The operation took place in Russia's western exclave of Kaliningrad, Russian media reports, citing the Federal Customs Service (FCS).


The FCS said the two Russian nationals drove to a forest near the Lithuanian border under the cover of darkness, where they carefully prepared the operation after checking weather forecasts, wind direction and atmospheric pressure.




The suspects had packed the cigarettes into cardboard boxes fitted with GPS tracking devices, intending for the wind to carry the illicit cargo across the border. Customs officers intercepted the pair before the balloons could be launched, seizing weather balloons, gas cylinders used for inflation and a van involved in the operation.

Officials said 3,500 packs of cigarettes were found inside the prepared boxes, while a further 3,000 packs were discovered in a shed at the home of one of the suspects. The seized tobacco products are estimated to be worth nearly one million roubles.


According to the FCS, the suspects admitted they had planned to continue smuggling cigarettes using weather balloons if the first shipment had been successful.


Russian authorities have opened a criminal case on charges of attempting to illegally transport strategically important goods across the customs border by a group acting in prior conspiracy.


By Aghakazim Guliyev