A truck carrying 7 tons of smuggled cigarettes was seized in Cherbourg, leading to a retrial for the driver who claims he was unaware of the cargo.
Smuggling discovery in Cherbourg
During a customs inspection in Cherbourg, Manche, on October 9, 2025, authorities uncovered 32,500 cartons of smuggled cigarettes, equivalent to nearly 7 tons of tobacco, hidden in a truck.Legal consequences for the driver
The driver was initially sentenced to 12 months in prison with probation and fined 4.5 million euros for the smuggling offense. The case was brought to the Caen Court of Appeal in Calvados on October 14, 2026.Driver's defense
At the retrial, the driver claimed he was not aware of the content of the cargo, suggesting that he might have been deceived or misled about what he was transporting.Pending court decision
The court has not yet announced its decision in the case, which is expected to be released on December 9.
