Polish Border Guard detains nine for cigarette smuggling via weather balloons

The Podlaskie Border Guard has detained nine individuals suspected of smuggling cigarettes from Belarus into Poland using weather balloons. The seized contraband consisted of over 3,900 cartons of cigarettes, valued at more than 621,000 PLN.

The group of suspects includes three Polish citizens, four Belarusian citizens, and two Lithuanian citizens. Investigators have requested arrest warrants for the individuals, though final decisions regarding preventive measures remain with the court.

This method of smuggling is part of a growing trend at the border. Since the beginning of 2026, the Podlaskie Border Guard has detained 40 people in connection with similar balloon-based smuggling operations. Authorities noted that using weather balloons allows smugglers to bypass traditional border checkpoints and patrol lines by utilizing airspace.