A 52-year-old Lithuanian man is suspected of smuggling cigarettes using weather balloons. This man was caught by a locator near Monieki in Podlasie while trying to find a package containing one and a half thousand packs of illegal cigarettes. He will be charged in court for involvement in smuggling.
The balloon fell in the town of Klevianka, Monecki district. He once bought him one and a half thousand packs of cigarettes. The police were informed of the discovery and confiscated the contraband, but a car was stopped nearby for inspection, the driver of which aroused the suspicion of the officers that it might be related to smuggling.
The driver is a Lithuanian citizen who had a locator with him which allowed him to find the balloon. He was arrested and will appear in court for involvement in smuggling.
The police arrested a Lithuanian citizen – he was smuggling cigarettes using KPP Mońki balloons
They use favorable conditions
In connection with security measures on the border of Poland and Belarus, including: in the form of a steel and thermomobile barrier, a network of cameras and sensors, cigarette smugglers are looking for new ways to cross the border.
They take advantage of the favorable weather conditions, especially the wind blowing towards Poland, and release the loaded balloons into the air. According to the strength and direction of the wind, they estimate the landing place of the balloon and use locators.
In October, Border Guards arrested two Lithuanian citizens and earlier two Poles while trying to escape.
Main photo source: KPP Mońki
