Customs Seize 1,000 Cartons of Illegal Cigarettes from Morocco and Andorra in Haute-Garonne

The two interventions took place in early July. In total, 1,000 cartons of contraband cigarettes were seized in the space of three days, reports Actu.fr. The first seizure took place on Sunday, July 3 at Toulouse-Blagnac airport. Customs intercepted a passenger arriving from Morocco with luggage containing 496 cartons of cigarettes.

"This is well above the authorized threshold, which is one carton per traveler, which suggests an illicit traffic of cigarette resale," indicates the Regional Directorate of Customs of Toulouse. The offender was sentenced to one year in prison, including 6 months firm (with a committal order) and a customs fine of 52,000 euros in an immediate appearance.

The second intervention took place on Tuesday, July 5, 2022 on the road to Andorra. The customs brigade of Cierp-Gaud (Haute-Garonne) intercepted a driver who was transporting 500 cartons brought back from the Pyrenean principality. After being placed in customs detention, he was handed over to the national gendarmerie.

"These two fine seizures illustrate the mobilization and involvement of customs in the active fight against illegal tobacco and cigarette trafficking, in the greater Toulouse region, in order to protect the consumer, the network of tobacconists and the tax revenues of the State," indicates the regional directorate.