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Article 323-3 of the French Customs Code

As soon as the person is detained by customs, the public prosecutor in whose jurisdiction the offence has been recorded in flagrante delicto is informed by any means.

He is informed of the description of the offence given to the detainee. The public prosecutor may change this classification; in this case, the new classification is notified to the person under the conditions set out in article 323-6.

If the measure is to be carried out in a jurisdiction other than that of the public prosecutor where the offence was detected, the latter is informed.

Original in French 🇫🇷
Article 323-3
Dès le début de la retenue douanière, le procureur de la République dans le ressort duquel est constaté le flagrant délit en est informé par tout moyen.


Il est avisé de la qualification des faits qui a été notifiée à la personne. Le procureur de la République peut modifier cette qualification ; dans ce cas, la nouvelle qualification est notifiée à la personne dans les conditions prévues à l’article 323-6.


Si la mesure doit être exécutée dans un autre ressort que celui du procureur de la République où l’infraction a été constatée, ce dernier en est informé.

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