Marseille Customs Seize Record 26 Tons of Contraband Tobacco

Marseille's customs officials have achieved a remarkable feat, intercepting an unprecedented 26 tons of contraband tobacco at the port of Fos-sur-Mer. This "historic" seizure, as described by the customs services, occurred on March 3 when two containers, declared to contain toilet paper and baby wipes and arriving from the United Arab Emirates with Italy as their final destination, were flagged as high-risk.

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The passage of the containers through the scanner revealed anomalies.

The successful interception was made possible by the vigilance of the Maritime Targeting Center of Marseille (CCMM). Scans of the containers revealed anomalies, leading officers to discover the vast quantity of cigarettes concealed behind the legitimate merchandise. This elaborate method of smuggling underscores the lengths to which criminal organizations will go to evade detection and flood markets with illicit goods.

Aymeric Atamaniuk, head of the economic action unit at Marseille customs, confirmed that the 136,450 cartons of cigarettes represent the largest seizure by the Marseille customs in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. The value of this intercepted tobacco on the legal market is estimated at 17 million euros, though traffickers typically aim to sell it at a lower price. This operation is part of a broader effort to combat illicit trade, which has seen significant successes in the region.

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It is the biggest seizure made by the customs of Marseille in the Bouches-du-Rhône.

This latest bust is not an isolated incident. In late January, Marseille customs also seized 16 tons of contraband cigarettes from a container of flower pots at the same port. According to the Union of Manufacturers (Unifab), nearly half of the cigarettes consumed in France are illicit, either counterfeit or smuggled. French customs reported seizing nearly 548 tons of tobacco in 2025, a 12% increase from the previous year, indicating a growing challenge in controlling the flow of illegal tobacco products.

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This 1.3 million packs of cigarettes correspond, on the legal market, to 17 million euros of merchandise, even if traffickers seek to sell it cheaper.