Economic Impact - Contraband is entering Argentina at historic levels due to the currency crisis in Bolivia and the perceived overvaluation of the Argentine peso [1] - The black market is booming while Argentina's formal economy is in crisis [1] - Shop owners in Iran (near the border) report sales are down 40% this year [3] - A local business chamber estimates 40 businesses have closed due to competition from cheaper contraband [3] Contraband Details - A wide range of contraband products are entering Argentina, including iPhones, vegetables, paper towels, toilet paper, and TVs [2] - Contraband is being transported as far as Buenos Aires, approximately 1000 miles from the border [2] Political Implications - Increased informality in Argentina's job market is observed since December 2023 [3] - President Milei faces a challenging election on October 26th [3] - Locals in Salta province express intolerance towards Milei's austerity policies [4]

Smuggling Activity - Lithuanian border officials report Belarusian smugglers using hot air balloons to smuggle contraband into Lithuania [1][2] - Over the weekend, 18,000 packs of cigarettes were confiscated [2] - Lithuanian authorities have intercepted over 500 balloons sent by smugglers this year [3] - Nearly 800,000 packs of cigarettes have been transported via balloons and drones [3] Airport Disruption - A major airport in Lithuania's capital was shut down for about 8 hours due to balloons entering its airspace [2] - 30 flights were interfered with, impacting travel plans for over 6,000 passengers [3]

[Music] This night vision video of a hot air balloon landing in a Lithuanian field, escalating tensions in a region already on the brink, even shutting down an airport over the weekend. But it's not carrying any passengers. Instead, large boxes of smuggled cigarettes, according to Lithuanian border officials.They say Bellar Russian smugglers have been sending balloons with contraband into Lithuania for years, but 18,000 packs of cigarettes have been confiscated just over the weekend. Saturday night, the bal ...