A historic crackdown has shaken Polynesia’s pearl industry.
Last Friday around 5:30 PM, customs officers at Papeete’s ferry terminal intercepted a man arriving from Moorea by scooter. In his bag, they uncovered nine lots of loose pearls weighing 5.3 kg, along with four lots of keshi pearls totaling 460 grams. Unable to justify the origin of these precious goods, the man violated strict regulations governing the local pearl trade.
The search continued with the discovery of 820,000 FCFP in cash, neatly arranged in 10,000 FCFP bills. Suspecting a larger operation, customs officers proceeded to raid his home. There, they made an unprecedented find: 327 kg of Tahitian pearls stored in safes and on shelves—the largest seizure in the territory’s history.
The individual, who claimed to be a cultured pearl producer, was found to be in serious violation. The stock included rejects, directly contravening current regulations designed to protect the reputation and quality of Tahitian pearls. Initial estimates place the minimum value of this seized treasure at approximately 38 million francs.
The alleged smuggler faces a fine of 76 million FCFP and up to three years in prison. Customs authorities are actively investigating the precise origin of these pearls and any potential illicit networks involved. This dramatic case highlights the challenges of combating fraud in an industry that is both strategically vital and fragile for French Polynesia.
Leave a Reply