Nearly 40 tonnes of counterfeit cigarettes seized in France
Dong Thap Customs busts two cases of cigarette smuggling, seizing nearly 2,500 packages | |
Customs seizes 4,000 packs of smuggled cigarettes | |
About 1 million packs of smuggled cigarettes destroyed |
The investigation, involving several customs services and the assistance of the French network of customs attachés (especially in Dubai), led to the seizure of 40 tonnes of counterfeit cigarettes in the Marseille and Paris regions in March 2022.
The criminal activities were conducted by an international criminal organisation operating from Asia. The organisation shipped counterfeit cigarettes by container from the Caribbean, the Middle East and Africa, by impersonating the names of importers.
The commercialisation of these cigarettes in France would have represented a tax loss of around EUR 15 million. The volume of cigarettes confiscated during this operation represents the equivalent of approximately 10 % of the total seizures made by French Customs in 2021.
Europol facilitated the information exchange and provided specialised analytical support. On the action day, Europol deployed an expert to France to cross-check operational information against Europol’s databases in real-time and to provide leads to investigators in the field.
In 2020, Europol created the European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) to increase synergies between economic and financial investigations and to strengthen its ability to support law enforcement authorities in effectively combating this major criminal threat.
Headquartered in The Hague, the Netherlands, Europol supports the 27 EU Member States in their fight against terrorism, cybercrime, and other serious and organised crime forms. Europol also works with many non-EU partner states and international organisations. From its various threat assessments to its intelligence-gathering and operational activities, Europol has the tools and resources it needs to do its part in making Europe safer.
Related News
Managing electronic stamps for domestically produced cigarettes and alcohol products to prevent revenue loss
10:36 | 01/02/2024 Finance
Smuggled cigarettes increasing
16:13 | 05/12/2023 Customs
How to avoid "trap" fraud in international trade
08:57 | 07/05/2023 Import-Export
Over 11.7 million foreign cigarettes suspected of infringing intellectual property rights
15:33 | 19/04/2023 Anti-Smuggling
Latest News
The Philippines Pioneers Corruption Risk Mapping to Strengthen Integrity and Trade Facilitation in Customs
13:41 | 23/10/2024 World Customs
US customs clamps down on vague cargo descriptions
09:38 | 27/09/2024 World Customs
Uzbekistan Signs Customs Agreement With U.S.
09:02 | 26/09/2024 World Customs
Hong Kong customs seizes B42.5m of smuggled platinum, its largest haul in 20 years
09:02 | 26/09/2024 World Customs
More News
Customs Affairs conducts training programme for OFOQ2 Single Window System
13:15 | 16/08/2024 World Customs
Abu Dhabi Customs equips sea customs centres with five advanced inspection devices
14:20 | 15/08/2024 World Customs
Customs rules get stringent at Singapore
14:20 | 15/08/2024 World Customs
Sabah Customs seizes over RM600,000 worth of drugs
10:16 | 09/08/2024 World Customs
Hong Kong customs to use AI to check 6,000 digital images in seconds for crime-fighting boost
14:43 | 07/08/2024 World Customs
Hong Kong customs seizes HK$5.8 million of heroin hidden among durians
16:05 | 05/08/2024 World Customs
Dubai and Indonesia to boost the Comprehensive Partnership Agreement with advanced customs procedures
15:16 | 30/07/2024 World Customs
India imposes 10% customs duty on solar glass imports
08:16 | 26/07/2024 World Customs
Customs seize arms, ammunition worth N2bn from Turkey
09:35 | 07/07/2024 World Customs
Your care
The Philippines Pioneers Corruption Risk Mapping to Strengthen Integrity and Trade Facilitation in Customs
13:41 | 23/10/2024 World Customs
US customs clamps down on vague cargo descriptions
09:38 | 27/09/2024 World Customs
Uzbekistan Signs Customs Agreement With U.S.
09:02 | 26/09/2024 World Customs
Hong Kong customs seizes B42.5m of smuggled platinum, its largest haul in 20 years
09:02 | 26/09/2024 World Customs
Customs Affairs conducts training programme for OFOQ2 Single Window System
13:15 | 16/08/2024 World Customs