Senator Annick Petrus Caught with 110 Cartons Undeclared Cigarettes Saint Martin
Customs officers stopped Saint-Martin Senator Annick Pétrus on May 4
in Paris and found her in possession of 110 cartons of undeclared cigarettes,
according to Mediapart, which reported the incident today.
In a press release,
Senator Pétrus admitted that she had agreed to carry a suitcase for an acquaintance,
claiming it was a mistake.
She explained that she frequently travels for her parliamentary duties and often transports
packages on behalf of trusted individuals.
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Mediapart revealed the incident on Wednesday,
May 28. Customs officials inspected the senator after she disembarked from her flight
and discovered the cigarettes packed in a 22-kilogram suitcase.
While a carton sells for 20 to 25 euros on Saint-Martin, the price in mainland France climbs to around 130 euros.
Consequently, authorities estimated the total value of the confiscated goods at 14,250 euros.
Senator Pétrus paid a fine of nearly 5,000 euros.
In addition, customs officers seized the entire shipment.
In her defense, Pétrus stated,
“On every trip, I carry boxes, packages. These are people you know; you trust them.
I’ve been doing this for years between Guadeloupe, Saint-Martin, Paris.
Ninety-five percent of the time, I have a package for someone. I’ve never had a problem, and this time, I had a customs check.”
She maintained that she did not know what the suitcase contained and that she never inquired.
Nonetheless, authorities classified the contents as undeclared goods subject to penalties under customs law.
Although she attempted to distance herself from the contraband,
the incident has already raised questions about the judgment and conduct of a sitting senator.