Fines for tobacco smuggling ‘too weak’

A FORMER British police chief has warned Ireland’s penalties for cigarette smuggling are too weak and encourage criminals to use Irish shores as drop-off points for major hauls.

The average fine handed to convicted cigarette smugglers this year is less than €500, according to figures obtained by the Irish Examiner yesterday.

Fine Gael’s justice spokesman Charlie Flanagan last night said those who sold illegal cigarettes should face increased fines of at least €10,000, as the state was haemorrhaging around €500 million a year in lost revenue.

John O’Connor, a retired Flying Squad commander with Scotland Yard, said the average fine cigarette smugglers were being hit with in Ireland was minuscule. Any attempt to dissuade gangs from smuggling in major shipments of contraband would fail unless the fines system was toughened up, he said.

“Ireland is being seen to be a fairly attractive staging post. If you look historically at the penalties that have been imposed by Irish courts [for] people smuggling cigarettes, I think the average fine is about €500. So it’s not seen to be that risky, if they get caught. There’s a lot of things that need to be done in Ireland to tighten up the problem of tobacco smuggling.”

Figures released by the Revenue Commissioners yesterday show total fines imposed this year for cigarette smuggling amount to €35,860. This relates to 77 convictions, averaging €465 in fines where convictions are imposed.

Current fines under the Finance Acts state tobacco smugglers face a fine of €5,000 on summary conviction and/or up to 12 months imprisonment and €12,695 on indictment and/or up to 5 years jail.

Mr Flanagan added: “Tough penalties are required to tackle cigarette smugglers and send out a clear message that it won’t be tolerated.

“A mandatory fine of €10,000 would be appropriate and would make many think twice before becoming part of the illegal chain of supply.”