Traffic: cars overflowing with contraband cigarettes, 1,433 cartridges seized in Val-d’Oise

It represents 20% of total consumption in Val-d’Oise, compared to around 15% nationally. The consumption of contraband tobacco has experienced a real explosion in the department to the detriment of the network of tobacconists.

A particularly lucrative business, traffickers do not hesitate to act in the middle of the street, in full view of passers-by, despite the multiple operations carried out by the police within the framework of the agreement signed a year ago by the Pontoise public prosecutor’s office, the prefecture, the police, the gendarmerie and customs in order to fight against this scourge.

Monday June 17, thirteen officials from the Sarcelles police station were mobilized for an operation to combat the sale of contraband cigarettes at the Garges-Sarcelles station. This led to the arrest of three street sellers and the seizure of 238 packages.

Improperly parked vehicle

This week, it is 1,433 cartons of counterfeit cigarettes which were recovered by the police. Not during large-scale operations, but unexpectedly following simple road checks. On Monday, June 24, around 8 p.m., it was because she was poorly parked in the Cressonnières activity zone, in Gonesse, only one car Peugeot 308 Sw attracts the attention of a patrol. The officers ask the driver to present the vehicle’s papers, but also to open the trunk. There, they discover four boxes containing cartons of cigarettes. The members of the police force do not stop there. They decide to continue their inspection and search the box from where the motorist had just come out. Inside, they got their hands on several hundred cartons of cigarettes, bringing the total to 883.

During his search, the alleged trafficker was found in possession of 4,000 euros in cash. Placed in police custody, the latter, who declared that he was 27 years old and homeless in Stains (Seine-Saint-Denis), did not give details of the origin of the money and cigarettes.

Counterfeit Marlboros

Two days later, Wednesday June 26, it was 11:20 a.m. when the police intercepted a utility vehicle which appeared to be overloaded in order to carry out its inspection, La Cavalerie mall, in Pontoise. By opening the rear doors of the vehicle, they discover that it is filled with boxes, one of which, torn, reveals Marlboro brand cigarettes, 550 cartridges being seized by the police. Contacted, the brand confirmed that it was counterfeit merchandise.

The young man, who is believed to be 22 years old, said he did not know where the cigarettes came from. He was taken into custody.

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