Estonian authorities are investigating an unusual smuggling attempt after a fisherman discovered a balloon carrying contraband cigarettes on the frozen surface of Lake Peipus on Tuesday morning.
Contraband Discovery
The Estonian Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) received a report at 11:42 a.m. From a local fisherman regarding the balloon. Border guards from Varnja traveled to the location by sled and found a white balloon with three cardboard boxes attached.
The discovery occurred approximately three kilometers from the temporary border control line. Upon inspection, the boxes were found to contain cigarettes bearing Belarusian tax stamps.
The cigarettes and the balloon were transported to the nearest PPA station and subsequently handed over to the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. Officials believe the cigarettes were likely intended for distribution elsewhere in Europe.
Regional Trend and Investigation
Meelis Saarepuu, head of the PPA’s southern bureau, noted that similar incidents have been more frequent in neighboring Latvia and Lithuania. Authorities are currently communicating with their counterparts in those countries regarding this latest event.
The flight path of the balloon is under investigation, as predicting the landing location of these airborne shipments is difficult due to weather conditions. Saarepuu’s Latvian and Lithuanian counterparts confirmed the unpredictable nature of these balloon deliveries.
Rain Kuus, head of the Tax and Customs Board’s investigation department, stated that What we have is not the first instance of contraband arriving in Estonia via balloon. However, previous cases were considered accidental landings, with Estonia not being the intended destination. The current investigation will determine if this shipment was deliberately targeted towards Estonia.
The Tax and Customs Board has initiated misdemeanor proceedings to clarify the details of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was found on Lake Peipus?
A balloon carrying three cardboard boxes containing 30,000 cigarettes with Belarusian tax stamps was discovered on the ice of Lake Peipus.
Where did the authorities believe the cigarettes originated?
Meelis Saarepuu, head of the PPA’s southern bureau, said the cigarettes are most likely contraband sent from Belarus to Europe.
Has this happened in Estonia before?
According to Rain Kuus, head of the Tax and Customs Board’s investigation department, balloons carrying contraband have reached Estonia before, but previously landed accidentally.
As investigations continue, it remains to be seen whether this latest incident represents a shift in smuggling tactics or remains an isolated event.
