Customs in Marseille step up fight against tobacco trafficking with new technologies
In Marseille, customs authorities have intensified their efforts to combat tobacco trafficking, a phenomenon that has taken root in France’s second-largest city. According to official figures, more than 10 tons of illicit tobacco were seized in 2024, highlighting the scale of the underground market.
Experts estimate that nearly half of the cigarettes consumed in Marseille come from illegal channels. This thriving black market undermines licensed tobacco retailers and fuels a parallel economy that often contributes to insecurity. “We are witnessing the industrialization and normalization of this trafficking. Smugglers have realized how profitable it is, while buyers barely feel they are breaking the law,” explained Philippe Coy, president of the tobacconists’ confederation.
The methods used by traffickers are increasingly sophisticated: smuggled cartons hidden in shipping containers, parcels containing foreign tobacco, and even clandestine factories producing counterfeit cigarettes for distribution across France.
To counter this, customs officers in Marseille are deploying new technologies and increased surveillance, both at the port and within the city. Enhanced inspections, data analysis, and closer cooperation with international partners are part of the strategy to dismantle supply chains and curb the spread of illicit tobacco.
Authorities stress that beyond the economic loss, tobacco smuggling represents a serious public order issue, feeding street sales and fueling networks involved in other criminal activities.
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