Customs Seizes Millions of Smuggled Cigarettes
Almost three million smuggled cigarettes destined for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been seized in Co Antrim, reports the Belfast Telegraph. The duty-free cigarettes were discovered in a consignment of Bulgarian matches.
This haul is the latest in a line of successes for Customs in Ireland’s northern six counties. More than half a million cigarettes and over 100 kilos of rolling tobacco were seized at Belfast airport last week.
Moderator Comment: What can be done about the black market and counterfeiting by retailers, manufacturers and associated organizations?
The loss of sales and profits due to illegal activity is a major security issue.
Every year in the United States alone, $200 billion is lost on trademark counterfeiting schemes according to the International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC).
[George
Anderson – Moderator]