Revenue crackdown on Cigarette Smuggling
New confidential free phone: 1800 295 295
The Revenue Commissioners today (28/07/2010) announced the results of a major national crackdown on cigarette smuggling. The nationwide 'blitz' which involved Revenue enforcement officers from all regions and ran for a fortnight in mid-July, resulted in the seizure of almost 14 million cigarettes and 200 kgs of tobacco with a combined retail value of €5.9m. Revenue operations across the country focused on retail outlets, markets, local distribution networks, ports and airports. Cooperation from An Garda Síochána was an important factor in the success of the operation.
"We maintain a focus on cigarette smuggling at all times but this 'blitz' style operation gives high visibility and allows us to tailor our operations and supplement our information sources", said Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin. "The operation will be reviewed and intelligence gained will be dispersed across the organisation. The public also have an important role to play here and this is why we have introduced the confidential freephone number (1800 295 295) for members of the public to provide us with any information they may have regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes".
"Anyone tempted to buy cheap cigarettes from an irregular source of supply must realise that there is a high possibility that they are buying counterfeit goods, which provide an unknown additional set of health risks as the product is not the subject of quality control", he added. "These actions are not just robbing the exchequer of much needed funds they are also hurting local businesses. Of course, buying smuggled cigarettes is also putting money into the hands of criminals".
Last year Revenue seized 218.5m cigarettes and 10,451kgs tobacco with a combined retail value of €95.8m. To date in 2010, Revenue has seized 127m cigarettes and 2,065kgs tobacco with a combined retail value of €55.1m.
National Tobacco Blitz Statistics (PDF, 19KB)
[Ends 28/07/10]