An LR senator controlled by Roissy customs with 22 kilos of unsuccessful tobacco in her luggage – Liberation
22,000 cigarettes is a lot. The equivalent of more than one package per day for three years. According to our colleagues from Mediapart, Senator Les Républicains de Saint-Martin Annick Petrus was checked on Sunday May 4 by customs at Roissy airport with her possession « 110 Cigarette cartridges Marlboro and Philip Morris having been the subject of any declaration ». Or the equivalent of 22 kilos of smuggling goods, for a total value of 14,250 euros.
According to our colleagues, the vice-president of the senatorial delegation to overseas made of regular round trips between Paris and the French Antilles, in his constituency of Saint-Martin: « She has retained a mandate as a territorial adviser on this Caribbean island. »
If the facts are liable to three years in prison, the online investigation media indicates that the case ended in a fine of 4,900 euros and the seizure of cigarette cartridges. The existence of an agreement between customs and the Bobigny prosecution – which is territorially competent in Roissy – allows a « Transactional arrangement ». Up to 150 cartridges, smugglers can avoid legal prosecution by adjusting a penalty.
Contacted by Mediapart, Annick Petrus claims to have transported a Saint-Martin suitcase to Paris at the request of a loved one and without knowing the content. Another person was to recover it on arrival. She explains that she simply agreed to do a service: « It is done a lot in the Antilles, you have parents, friends, allies who give you packages, things to bring back for loved ones. With each trip I wear boxes, packages. These are people you know, you trust them. It’s been years since I have been doing this between Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, Paris. 95 % of my trips, I have a package for someone. I never had a problem, and this time I had customs control. ”
The senator tells herself having felt « Silly » And confirms having set a fine. She also assures that this mishap serves as her « lesson ». As spotted by our colleagues, Annick Petrus had notably deplored in December 2022 in the Senate the presence of « Only two customs officials » on the territory of Saint-Martin.
