France prosecutes counterfeit cigarette network in Bourges trial

On 27 July a Bourges court sentenced five men aged 20‑26 for operating a counterfeit‑cigarette and occasional cannabis trafficking ring that ran from February 2025 to March 2026 in Vierzon. The defendants sold packs of fake Marlboro at roughly €50 per ten‑pack carton, far above the legal price of €13.50. Investigations, prompted by a tip from local tobacconists and a private detective hired by Philip Morris, uncovered 1,371 cartons and €27,000 in cash in a rented garage. Deliveries were made to private homes and supermarket parking lots. The defendants argued the case lacked evidence of an organised gang, seeking reduced charges.

In a separate incident, police in Besançon arrested a 38‑year‑old man on 22 July 2026 after observing multiple street‑level cigarette sales. A raid seized bulk tobacco, counterfeit foreign cigarettes and several medication boxes. The suspect admitted selling cigarettes but denied ownership of the seized tobacco and medicines. He was placed in custody and scheduled for a preliminary hearing in February 2027.