French Officials Seize 5,700 Packets of Andorran Tobacco in High-Speed Chases

French gendarmes and customs officials have reported fresh seizures of Andorran tobacco in early January, seizing over 5,700 packets amid high-speed evasion tactics by smugglers.

The Toulouse-Frouzins customs brigade conducted two operations in the Toulouse area. On January 3, agents located more than 1,700 packets hidden in a ditch at the edge of the Toulouse agglomeration after spotting suspicious vehicles known to border services. The smugglers abandoned the cargo to dodge a control. Two days later, on the morning of January 5, officers stopped a speeding "go-fast" vehicle on the motorway between Pamiers and Toulouse, uncovering over 4,000 packets from Pas de la Casa inside. The confiscated tobacco faces incineration, with offenders liable for heavy penalties.

These incidents follow a surge in violence at the Andorra-France border reported in recent months. Gendarmes have encountered more drivers ignoring checkpoints, sparking high-speed pursuits and risky maneuvers. In response, officers have erected roadblocks and used specialized stopping devices, at times endangering other road users.

Investigators note growing concern over the escalation, linked to intensified police pressure on irregular migrants who depend on the illicit trade for income. Smuggling networks remain active across Andorra's rugged mountain passes, driven by price gaps—Andorran border tobacco costs nearly three times less than in France.