In the warehouse of a logistics transport company in Hœrdt, Bas-Rhin, authorities discovered nearly three tons of suspected counterfeit cigarettes during a search on Monday evening, according to Dernières Nouvelles d'Alsace. The operation was carried out by the Direction nationale du renseignement et des enquêtes douanières (DNRED) and the Office national antifraude (Onaf), two French agencies focused on customs and fraud investigations. The gendarmerie, France's military police, was also present to comply with legal requirements, but did not take part in the actual search. During the operation, four individuals were detained for allegedly being involved in the smuggling of tobacco products. Two of them were later released after customs authorities determined they were not directly involved in the illegal activity. The other two were placed in custody for their suspected roles in the smuggling of illicit cigarettes. The warehouse under investigation was used as a storage location in the commune of Hœrdt and belongs to a logistics transport company whose headquarters is located in Brumath. The individuals detained are described as couriers from the company, suspected of using professional vehicles to transport the counterfeit cigarettes. The estimated value of the seized goods is over 10 million euros, highlighting the scale of the alleged illegal activity. This operation underscores the ongoing efforts by French authorities to combat the smuggling of tobacco products, which is a significant issue in the region due to the high tax rates on legal cigarettes. Such operations are part of a broader strategy to reduce the circulation of counterfeit goods, which not only undermine legitimate businesses but also pose health risks to consumers. The DNRED and Onaf regularly conduct similar raids to intercept illegal products and hold those involved accountable. This case demonstrates the complexity of smuggling networks and the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing such issues.