Operation "Colbert" has just hit tobacco traffickers

Under the code name "Colbert", in tribute to one of the founders of modern customs, the state has just hit hard and by surprise the traffickers of contraband tobacco. Between May 31 and last Tuesday, no less than 5172 agents, including police officers, gendarmes and 2866 customs officers took action throughout the country. On the roads, 4600 vehicles were stopped and checked while, at airports, no less than 712 thefts were screened. Most were from Asia and the Middle East, which are all destinations known to be departure areas.

In cities, the punch operation targeted 525 deal points and 450 dubious businesses, 90% of which were selling tobacco illegally. "While customs usually detects 600 infringements and seizures each week, more than 1100 were noted during this week of reinforced controls," revealed Gabriel Attal, Minister Delegate for Public Accounts...

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