A NORTHSIDE shopkeeper has said the recent haul of cigarettes worth
?¬15 million at Dublin Port shows that the market for illegal tobacco is growing rather than waning.
Benny Gilsenan ,who owns Benny’s on Emmet Street opposite Croke Park and is the spokesperson for Retailers Against Smuggling, said the recent haul indicates that Ireland is still considered a
“soft touch
? for criminals.
The seizure on April 13 was the third largest in the history of the State.
“It’s great that these cigarettes are being seized before they hit the streets but it does show that there is still a market for Irish and European criminals to make money here, otherwise they wouldn’t be shipping such large amounts of illegal cigarettes into the country,
? Mr Gilsenan stated.
“The market is obviously extremely profitable and the risk these criminals run if they’re caught isn’t a deterrent.
“The penalties for being caught are simply not strong enough. The big-time criminals are not going to get caught and it’s the small-fries who are paying the fines on their behalf, which are peanuts in relative terms when you think of how much money is being earned from the import and sale of illegal cigarettes.
?
While Mr Gilsenan welcomed and praised the work of customs and the gardai, he criticised the Government and the criminal justice system for what he called a
“soft touch approach
?.
“Customs and the gardai have their hands tied because the Government isn’t giving them the manpower they need to make a serious difference and the justice system is such that illegal smugglers are only getting a slap on the wrist if or when they come to court.
“We as shopkeepers find that the gardai and customs act quickly and take seriously any tip offs we give them on the street sale of cigarettes.
“Just recently I called the gardai after I saw a guy selling smokes on a street corner close to my shop and they lifted him within minutes.
?
Dublin has the highest rate of cigarette smuggling in the country, according to figures released last month by the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers’ Advisory Committee.
Last year the capital registered 50 convictions for illegal tobacco activity, 32 for smuggling cigarettes and 18 people were convicted for selling illegal cigarettes.
Only three counties – Sligo, Kildare and Roscommon – didn’t register any convictions while Cork was second to Dublin in the illegal cigarette conviction stakes.
The average fine for selling illegal cigarettes in 2011 was
?¬2,833, while the average fine for smuggling tobacco was
?¬1,829. One smuggler from Dublin was fined just
?¬50 on conviction.
A spokesperson for the Irish Tobacco Manufacturers’ Advisory Committee said the statistics may be shocking to most people.
“It’s not surprising to see a 30 per cent increase in activity from 2010 to 2011,
? the spokesperson added.
“People need to understand this is not just a person trying to make a quick buck, this stems from high level international crime gangs involved in child trafficking, prostitution and terrorism.
“The recent increases to VAT and excise on cigarettes has pushed the cost to the consumer above
?¬9 for a pack of 20 and with illegal cigarettes now available on the streets for nearly a third of that price, people are being pushed towards purchasing from the black market.
“Without restraint on increases and better enforcement the problem will continue to grow. A fine of e1,800 will not deter an illegal cigarette smuggler when they can make profit in one bag or suitcase smuggled into the country. This problem is not going away.
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