More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet
Increase in seizures of contraband drugs and cigarettes, although the amounts are slightly lower than those of the previous year
Contesto
More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet The year 2025 was an important year for the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office (FCA), which recorded an increase in seizures of contraband drugs and cigarettes at the Italian-Swiss border. According to the 2025 balance sheet, the number of smuggled cigarettes rose to 1.6 million, a figure significantly higher than the previous year's 950,000. 📊 Approximately 1.3 million cigarettes arrived in Switzerland by air, while the others were intercepted mainly at the southern and eastern borders. ⚠️ The majority of these smuggled cigarettes come from third countries, such as China, Turkey, and Egypt, which export cheap cigarettes to Switzerland, where they are sold at higher prices. According to the Federal Law on Contraband and Protection of Competition, introduced on January 1, 2022, imported cigarettes cannot be sold at prices lower than 10 Swiss francs per pack of 20 cigarettes. However, these regulations do not seem to have any effect in practice, as contraband cigarettes continue to flow into the Swiss market. The number of smuggled cigarettes increased by 70% compared to the previous year, and this is also reflected in the number of cigarettes seized in the Ticino canton. According to FCA data, over 1 million cigarettes were seized in the municipalities of Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno. These data confirm the trend of cigarette smuggling at the Italian-Swiss border. In 2025, 10 tons of drugs, including cocaine, heroin, and marijuana, were seized, worth over 10 million Swiss francs. These seizures not only prevented the sale of illicit substances on the black market but also contributed to preventing their spread amon...
Dettagli operativi
More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet In terms of narcotics, the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office (FCA) recorded an increase in the quantity of marijuana, which rose to 4,235 kilograms, four times the 2024 figure. 📊 A significant increase was also recorded in the quantities of synthetic drugs, which rose from 175 kg to 2,415 kg. A large quantity of THC-edibles, i.e., food products containing synthetic or semi-synthetic cannabinoids, was also seized. It is true that amphetamines and methamphetamines decreased, but it is also true that the persistence of the narcotics trade does not seem to decrease. The FCA has reported an increase in attempts to dispose of illicit substances in natural areas, such as Lake Maggiore and Lake Como, which also overlook important Ticino municipalities. Among the Ticino municipalities most affected by this increase in activity are Bellinzona, Locarno, and Lugano. These cities, located at the border with Italy, represent the first stop for illicit substances brought into Switzerland. The total amount of seized narcotics in 2025 rose to 6,650 kg, an increase of 380% compared to the previous year. ⚠️ The FCA has reported that the majority of seized substances are sold through online platforms, such as social media. This behavior is considered a serious threat to public health and Swiss law. To counter this increase in activity, the FCA has implemented various operational measures, including border surveillance, collaboration with Italian authorities, and monitoring of online platforms. The FCA recommends reporting any suspicious activities to the competent authorities. Among the most important regulations governing FCA activit...
Punti chiave
More Drugs and Cigarettes at the Border in 2025: The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office's Balance Sheet The Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office (FCA) has published its annual data for 2025, revealing a significant increase in suspicious transactions at the border between Switzerland and Italy. According to the statistics, online trade was a major factor in this increase, with 72.8 million customs declarations recorded in 2025, an increase of 15% compared to the previous year. This increase in suspicious transactions is a serious problem for border agents operating in the Canton of Ticino, where the borders are particularly densely populated and the traffic is intense. It is therefore essential for these operators to report any suspicious transactions to the competent authorities. If you have any doubts or suspicions, you can contact the Federal Customs Administration and Border Security Office for up-to-date and useful information. To help border agents navigate this complex scenario, we have created a list of checks to perform: - Verify that the products are properly declared and documented; - Ensure that the prices are consistent with those on the market; - Check that the products are not subject to restrictions or bans on importation; - Use calculation tools to determine the value of the goods; - Compare prices of goods and services in Switzerland and Italy to ensure that you do not engage in unfair trade. Here are some concrete examples of suspicious transactions that may be reported to the authorities: - 10,000 cigarettes imported from a single supplier in a single day; - 5,000 grams of narcotics imported in a single shipment; - 1,000 gift items imported without a customs declaration. In addition, it is worth noti...