Black market cigarettes are costing the retail sector millions every week, according to Retailers Against Smuggling.
The claim comes following the seizure of over 10 million black market ‘Don Corleone’ cigarettes at Dublin Port over the weekend.
Benny Gilsenan, shop owner and spokesman for the RAS commented, “These criminals are laughing in our face and are really putting it up to the Government by smuggling in ‘Don Corleone’ cigarettes.”
He added that the size of the seizure underlines how lucrative the black market tobacco trade is, with criminal gangs making huge profits.
“The public needs to be aware that by buying illegal brands like ‘Don Corleone’ they are supporting Irish and international organised crime gangs – we hope that this is an offer people will refuse,” he concluded.
The RAS is calling on measures to deal with the illegal cigarette trade, including the imposition of a minimum fine for smugglers, extra resources for law enforcement authorities to tackle the black market and a ban on sales of cigarettes at markets and fairs.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
