CIGARETTE smuggling is becoming a very serious problem in Ireland because a combination of the highest price in the European Union and the economic downturn is making it very attractive to smugglers.

VIAGRA and hair straighteners were among the main items confiscated as customs officials more than doubled the amount of counterfeit goods they seized last year.

CUSTOMS have foiled a huge smuggling operation after seizing €11 million of cigarettes packed in containers — the second largest seizure of its kind in the state.