A total of 31.2 million illegal cigarettes were seized in the first half of 2020 – five times more than the same period last year.
Retailers Against Smuggling have expressed concern over the high number taken off the streets.
Spokesman and Dublin retailer, Benny Gilsenan, said: “We commend and fully support the hard work undertaken by Revenue and An Garda Siochana in the fight against illicit trade.
“However, the smuggling of tobacco remains a significant concern to registered and legitimate tobacco retailers across Ireland, whose legal cigarette trade can account for 20% – 30% of their business.
“The fact that over 31 million illegal cigarettes have been confiscated by Revenue during the first half of this year alone demonstrates that criminals continue to target Ireland and are adapting their methods in response to restrictions on personal travel by focusing their efforts on large consignments of smuggled products.
“It is just another indicator as to why it is becoming increasingly hard for legitimate retailers to compete with the black market.
“We believe there is still more that can be done and that is why in our recent submission to the Finance Minister, RAS called for the detection and seizure of illegal tobacco products to remain a priority for Irish authorities.
“With increased awareness of the elaborate means criminal gangs are utilising to transport these huge volumes.”
Last month Revenue officers at Athlone Mail Centre seized 13,500 cigarettes.
The smuggled haul was discovered in 30 separate parcels originating from China and were declared as items like playing cards and jigsaw.
The cigarettes were valued at retail of over €9,000 representing a loss to the exchequer of almost €7,200.
The parcels were destined for addresses in Dublin, Kildare, Carlow and Tipperary.
In a separate incident in the same month, officials seized a total of 37,400 cigarettes with a combined retail value of approximately €25,000.
