Polish Border Guard broke up a criminal group that smuggled at least 48,000 cigarette packs from Belarus into Poland using weather balloons.
Criminal Smuggling Operation
An organized criminal group operating in the Biala Podlaska county was smuggling cigarettes from the Republic of Belarus to Poland using weather balloons. The Nadbużański Border Guard Department, under the supervision of the District Prosecutor’s Office in Siedlce, arrested five men aged 20-35 who heard charges, and all were placed in temporary detention for three months.
Smuggling Method Details
According to investigators, from September 2025 to February 2026, at least 48,000 packs of various cigarette brands entered Polish customs territory. The estimated value of the contraband was almost 1 million złoty, and the loss to state revenue was estimated at over 2 million złoty. The smuggling used unmanned aerial vehicles of the weather balloon type, sent from various locations in Belarus. Cigarette packs were attached to the balloons, with GPS devices in the packages allowing for quick location of the landing spot.
Arrest and Charges
On February 1, 2026, officers of the Nadbużański Border Guard Department conducted searches in designated locations in Siedlce and surrounding areas. During the operations, cigarettes without Polish excise marks and GPS positioning devices were found. Five men aged 20-35 were detained, including two Ukrainian citizens, one Belarusian citizen, and two Polish citizens. On February 3, 2026, in the District Prosecutor’s Office in Siedlce, suspects were charged with operating in an organized criminal group focused on committing tax offenses related to smuggling cigarettes from the eastern border.
Court Decision and Warning
On February 4, 2026, the District Court in Siedlce granted the prosecutor’s request and applied three-month temporary detention to all five suspects. The acts they are charged with carry a penalty of 9 months to 12 years in prison. The Border Guard warns that excise goods smugglers are seeking new methods to transport illegal goods across the border. Balloons used for smuggling can pose direct danger to life, health, and property. If a weather balloon is spotted, authorities appeal to report it to the appropriate organs.