French customs authorities have destroyed tens of thousands of smuggled toys – just days before Christmas. <br /><br />Officials say the items – mainly soft toys – came into Europe illegally from China and were deemed to be unsafe. <br /><br />The 25,000 toys were seized in the autumn<br />and were part of an annual surge in the run-up to Christmas.<br /><br />“We’re vigilant about toys throughout the year <br />but from the end of August, because imports ofChristmas toys start at the end of August, we <br />are extra vigilant and we strengthen our <br />controls into December,” said Caroline de <br />Saussure, a customs inspector. <br /><br />Two trucks full of toys were emptied into a <br />giant disposal unit at a depot outside of Paris, before a giant crane lifted them to an <br />incinerator to be destroyed.<br /><br />The toys were seized following an investigation. According to officials, they entered Europe from China through Belgium.<br /><br />The toys were said to be destined for street <br />markets, not conventional toy shops.
