From: Irish Independent
FORMER drug traffickers are focusing on cigarette smugglingbecause of the potential profits and the lack of deterrents, writes Tom Brady.
Retailers have called on the Government and the courts to adopt a tougher stance against the smugglers who, they claim, are responsible for job losses in their businesses.
There have been 77 prosecutions for cigarette smuggling this year, resulting in total fines of €98,050 and 26 jail sentences, of which 19 were suspended. The average fine in the second quarter of the year was €1,468, even though the maximum fine allowable is €126,000.
