Latvia seizes 420,000 smuggled cigarettes in bizarre balloon operation
Latvian authorities have intercepted seven weather balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus in a single night. The discovery was confirmed by Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis, who urged residents to report any sightings immediately. Each balloon held around 60,000 illegal cigarettes.
The first balloon was detected on Sunday, November 23, drifting into Latvian airspace from Belarus. By Monday morning, authorities had seized a total of seven balloons, all loaded with smuggled goods.
The intercepted balloons contained a combined total of roughly 420,000 illegal cigarettes. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, with cross-border cooperation playing a key role in preventing further smuggling attempts. Residents have been reminded to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.
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