Retailers’ welcome seizure of 9 million cigarettes at Dublin Port

Retailers Against Smuggling (RAS) welcome the announcement by Revenue regarding the seizure of 9 million cigarettes at Dublin Port on Friday, 13th May. The seizure had an estimated retail value of €6.8m representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €5.3m.

This the tenth major cigarette and tobacco seizure announced by Revenue so far this year, is the largest to date. With over 16.4 million illegal cigarettes seized so far in 2022, this latest announcement by Revenue reaffirms retailer concerns of the continuation of a rapidly growing black market which Irish they are forced to compete with.

RAS commends the ongoing work by Revenue officials in the fight against smuggling, particularly at our major points of entry through ports and airports. However, the issue of tobacco smuggling remains a huge threat for registered and legitimate tobacco retailers whose legal cigarette trade can account for 20 – 30 per cent of their business.