NIÈVRE: Seizure of nearly a thousand packets of contraband cigarettes on the A77

The Auxerre customs surveillance brigade claims “a new hard blow to tobacco trafficking” with this capture, made on January 20.

Press release from the Dijon Regional Customs Directorate of January 24, 2025:

Monday January 20, the Auxerre customs surveillance brigade is on a mission on the A77 when it selects a car registered in France for an inspection at the Myennes toll.

The driver, of Romanian nationality, declared that he was coming from Paris and was going home to Vichy.

When the trunk opened, customs officers discovered two boxes filled with cartons of Marlboro brand cigarettes with English labeling and the words “duty free”, making a total of 996 packs of cigarettes. The controlled individual then spontaneously declares having purchased them in the Paris region following orders from his acquaintances. He also told customs officers to have €1,800 in cash, hidden in the central armrest of the rear seat of the vehicle.

These facts constituting an irregular transport of manufactured tobacco products without regular supporting documentation, customs officers noted an offense of smuggling importation against him. On the instructions of the Nevers Public Prosecutor's Office, a summons by customs agent is given to the offender, setting the hearing for September 16, 2025.

This significant seizure follows a seizure of 1,115 kg of tobacco by the Dijon customs brigade on January 15, illustrating the action of the services of the Dijon Regional Customs Directorate in the fight against tobacco trafficking, which is one of the priority missions of customs. In 2023, 521 tonnes of tobacco were seized nationally, including 1,894 kg by the services of the Dijon regional directorate.