Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has urged the government to invest more resources and become more proactive in combating smugglers of illicit tobacco and other products.
RAS, which represents 3,000 independent retailers nationwide, claimed that smugglers are targeting Irish shores, following the seizure of 6,200 cigarettes, with a retail value of €2,860, was made on a ship from St Petersburg at Killybegs, Co. Donegal on Tuesday.
RAS spokesman Benny Gilsenan (pictured right) said, “The Irish coastline provides an open door for smugglers […] While we commend Revenue for their vigilance and dedication in making this latest seizure, we are calling on the Government to make more resources available to catch these criminals.”
Revenue seized more than 40 million black market cigarettes last year.
