Major crackdown in Lithuania against balloonists

The over 80 raids included findings of cigarettes with Belarusian markings, SIM cards, weapons and luxury cars, the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Lithuania recently declared a state of emergency, citing the security risk posed by the balloons from Belarus.

Prosecutors state that the smuggling balloons were sent out during favorable weather and that the suspected gang used GPS to locate where the balloons landed.

The balloons have disrupted air traffic, but have also been described as a broader security threat given Belarus' close relationship with Russia and the war in Ukraine.