France tightens controls on tobacco and alcohol smuggling at the Andorra border

Efforts to combat tobacco and alcohol smuggling and irregular immigration were the focus of a visit by the prefect of Pyrénées-Orientales, Pierre Regnault de La Mothe, to Porta, a French municipality bordering Andorra.

According to L’Indépendant, the French government representative travelled to the area to discuss cross-border security with customs officers and members of the Gendarmerie working on the ground.

The visit comes amid concerns over increased smuggling across this border, particularly tobacco trafficking. Alcohol smuggling and efforts to tackle irregular immigration were also among the issues discussed.

Customs officers face changing smuggling methods

The meeting highlighted the work of customs officers and gendarmes, who deal directly with the evolving methods used by smugglers along this stretch of the border.

The prefect’s visit places efforts to combat illicit trafficking around Porta among the cross-border security issues being addressed by the French authorities.