Cigarettes smuggling 'the new cocaine trade'; 'paltry ' fines blamed

The sale of illegal cigarettes has been labelled "the new cocaine" trade in Ireland.

That's the conclusion of a new report that's been submitted to a committee investigating cross-Border smuggling.

It warns that laws in the area aren't being enforced rigorously enough, and almost 1 in 4 cigarettes smoked here have been smuggled in.

Benny Gilsenan from Retailers Against Smuggling agreed criminals were not being put off by the consequences of getting caught.

"According to the European policing agencies, Ireland is deemed to be a very soft target because of the penalties dished out to those when they're caught," he said.

"The fines are only paltry - €2,500 is something they'll make in a day."