RAS: Factory Discovery Highlights ‘Out Of Control’ Illegal Tobacco Trade – Checkout.ie

06 March 2025

A spokesman for Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) has highlighted the “out of control” illicit tobacco trade in Ireland, following the discovery of an illegal cigarette factory in Co. Louth.

RAS congratulated the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána for their success in discovering and shutting down the highly sophisticated factory, where almost €600,000 worth of cigarettes were seized.

The spokesman for the retail group has warned that this seizure is the “tip of the iceberg”, and that tobacco smuggling is “out of control”.

Headline figures recently released by the Revenue Commissioners show that Irish authorities seized €128 million worth of illegal tobacco in 2024, compared to €63 million in 2023.

In total, 112 million cigarettes were seized by Irish authorities in 2024, with the amount nearly doubling in one year.

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In 2024, the Revenue Commissioners published a survey that showed that 34% of cigarettes in circulation in Ireland were non-duty paid.

RAS national spokesman Benny Gilsenan – who is also a retailer in North Dublin – said, “This factory closure and the massive scale of seizures last year represent only the tip of the iceberg.

“Tobacco-smuggling is out of control in Ireland.

“The new government must massively increase their efforts to tackle tobacco-smuggling, starting with increased scanning and detection at our ports, and adopting a zero-tolerance approach to illegal cigarettes being sold in our communities.

“Tobacco-smuggling is costing millions in lost revenue to both legitimate retailers and the Irish Exchequer.

This factory closure is welcome, but more is needed to get on top of the problem.”