Tobacco worth €3.5m seized

UP TO 10 million smuggled cigarettes have been seized by revenue officers in the Port of Cork as part of a major international fraud operation.

The contraband, with the potential to cost the country more than €3.5 million in lost revenue, were found in on a boat from Malaysia.

The 40-foot container had been marked as “paper stationery” on various documents.

However, after a major search by Irish customs officers and the European Anti-Fraud Office, millions of fake Club 88 cigarettes were identified.

Local industry union Retailers Against Smuggling claimed as many as 170 jobs may have been indirectly saved by the massive seizure.

“Over 170 retail jobs were saved today, and we are calling on the relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible get the appropriate sentence,” said spokesman Benny Gilsenan.

“It is a sad but true fact that those engaged in cigarette smuggling in Ireland usually receive paltry fines.

“In this instance, we expect that those responsible get the book thrown at them and receive the maximum fine permissible under law of €126,000.

“Only then will we be able to say that Ireland is serious about dealing with this scourge that threatens the livelihoods of those in the retail trade,” he added.

In the first six months of this year, 54m cigarettes with a retail value of approximately €22.5m have been seized at Irish ports.

- Anyone with information on smuggling is urged to call the confidential customs number 1800 295295.