Belarusian arrested in Poland for organizing smuggling via hot air balloons
In the Lublin Voivodeship in Poland, 34-year-old Belarusian citizen Mikhail S. was arrested, suspected of smuggling cigarettes with the help of meteorological balloons, reports wnp.pl.
Cigarettes delivered by air smuggling. Illustrative photo.
According to investigative materials, Mikhail S. organized and led a criminal group that, for almost a year (from May 2025 to April 2026), smuggled cigarettes from Belarus to Poland.
The scheme was as follows: balloons were launched from the territory of Belarus, using favorable weather conditions. After landing in Poland, the cargo was collected by other members of the group and distributed further.
For all this, about 160 balloons were used. With their help, at least 240 thousand packs of cigarettes worth about 4.5 million zlotys (about 1.24 million dollars) were delivered.
Investigators believe that such activities were a constant source of income for the suspect.
In addition to smuggling, the man is also accused of violating air traffic rules, as well as circumventing the ban on the import of cigarettes from Belarus, introduced as part of European Union sanctions.
The Belarusian partially admitted guilt and is now detained for three months. He faces up to 15 years in prison. The investigation continues, and it is not excluded that new suspects may appear in the case.
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