2023-06-21 05:35:02
News JVTech At the French border, there are dozens and dozens of abandoned cars. And they are not tourists or residents
Published on 06/21/2023 at 07:35
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If you cross this border between France and Andorra, you will be surprised to discover sleeping cars. Yet the reason for their presence is more than astonishing.
A strange traffic story
Andorra, known for its idyllic landscapes and its relaxing atmosphere, does not escape its dark side. If you have ever traveled to the Principality and approached its border with France, you may have been surprised by a strange scene: cars, apparently abandoned and often in poor condition, litter the surroundings of the Pyrenees mountains. These vehicles are not intended for hikers or tourists visiting Andorra. Their story is much less romantic and lends itself more to legal chronicles than to travel guides.
And strangely the story starts from Toulouse. Yes yes, as curious as it may seem the origin of its cars is the French pink city. Besides, just look at the registrations and many are in Haute-Garonne.
But who owns these cars? Another pertinent question. If these vehicles gather dust and sink in the snow at the border, it is precisely because of their owners. Or rather, what are they doing? These cars are said to belong to traffickers specializing in the contraband tradeespecially cigarettes, at the border.
Andorra and traffic
A few years ago, we learned that traffickers could save up to 40% on cigarette cartons by buying them in the Principality rather than in Spain or France. Although the authorities of Andorra have recently announced tax increases which have an impact on the price of tobacco.
Some traffickers take old cars from the Toulouse region and leave them at the border. According to customs officers, they fled, thus abandoning their vehicles to continue their journey with accomplices, or even they ended up continuing their journey on foot.
But suddenly that does not explain why the cars are partly dismembered. This is explained by the fact that the customs officers search and dismantle the bumpers and other parts. As a result, the cars find themselves partly boned.
Except that today the cars are piling up and the pound and the customs service can no longer manage. It is therefore a veritable cemetery that is being created. There is no miracle solution, apart from putting more money in with more staff. Except that doesn’t seem to be the current policy. So not sure to see a change in the months, see years to come. With the rise in the price of cigarettes in Andorra, this should however slow down this traffic.
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