In a statement to Tunisie Numérique, today, Monday, March 4, 2024, spokesman for the General Administration of Customs, Brigadier General Chokri Jabri, said that fighting smuggling and parallel trade is among their most important priorities, given the effect of this phenomenon on the national economy, the security and health of the citizen, and on the state treasury. He stressed ! that this file is given great importance by the highest levels of the ministry.
He additionally detailed the efforts of the various Customs Guard units in handling all forms of smuggling and commercial fraud. In January 2024 alone, they performed 2,797 field patrols and 100 raids on informal shops and warehouses. These efforts resulted in the initiation of 1,385 cases, with the complete value of the reports made by the Diwani Guard units estimated at around 44.6 million dinars.
The spokesperson also remarked that smuggling operations span numerous areas and implicate a variety of seizures, including cigarettes, footwear, ready-made clothes, and dry fruits. Further, specific campaigns have been launched to fight the increasingly prevalent smuggling of bananas. In January, 21 tons of bananas were seized, followed by 40.8 tons in February of the current year.