Two balloons carrying smuggled cigarettes exploded after striking power lines in central Lithuania. Authorities recovered nearly 20,000 cigarette packs from two separate locations.
The incidents occurred on Wednesday, October 21, in the Kėdainiai and Kaišiadorys districts. Firefighters responded to reports of explosions and burning debris.
First Balloon Explosion Sparks Fire in Kėdainiai
The first incident occurred around 6 am in Padotnuvys village, Kėdainiai district.
Emergency services received reports of a possible streetlight explosion on Draugystės Street.
However, firefighters discovered that a cigarette-smuggling balloon had struck power lines and exploded.
Burning debris covered part of the roadside.
Police later recovered 10 packages tied together with rope. Investigators estimated that they contained approximately 15,000 packs of suspected illegal cigarettes.
Authorities transferred the evidence to Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service.
Second Explosion Reveals Thousands More Cigarettes
The second incident occurred around 11 pm in Šakniai village, Kaišiadorys district.
Residents reported an explosion and fire in a nearby field.
Firefighters discovered another balloon carrying suspected smuggled cigarettes. It had collided with electrical wires and caught fire.
Authorities recovered approximately 4,900 cigarette packs from the location.
Authorities Investigate Illegal Cigarette Shipments
The two incidents resulted in the recovery of around 19,900 packs of suspected contraband cigarettes.
Dotnuva district official Modestas Tvaravičius said the first incident was unusual for the area.
He suggested the balloon may have landed on agricultural land before investigators examined the scene.
Authorities have not identified those responsible for the shipments.
The incidents highlight the safety risks associated with cigarette smuggling through uncontrolled aerial devices, particularly near electrical infrastructure.
