
In 2009 I witnessed a massive illegal cigarette haul. 120 million cigarettes, smuggled into Northern Ireland by the IRA. The seizure, in the heart of ‘bandit country’, was the largest ever seen in Europe, with an estimated street value of nearly
by Brian Binley MP11 Mar 2015, 7:27 PM PST0

The IRA are set to make a staggering £22 million a year more in counterfeit cigarettes when plain packaging legislation goes through because the packs are so much easier to fake. Police in Ireland have said that pain packaging is
by Donna Rachel Edmunds6 Mar 2015, 6:39 AM PST0

Plain packaging of cigarettes will put the police force under undue pressure by increasing the supply of counterfeit cigarettes on the market, a group of former policemen has warned. In a letter to the Telegraph, the 16 former senior officers
by Donna Rachel Edmunds9 Feb 2015, 7:44 AM PST0

The Irish Republican Army (IRA) and organised crime are becoming major players in the Australian cigarette business, according to several newspapers. The Irish Independent reports a senior figure in the South Armagh Provisional IRA has been arrested in Spain in
by Andre Walker4 Feb 2015, 6:59 AM PST0

Further evidence of Tory splits over the introduction of Plain Packaging for cigarettes has emerged as Conservatives lined up to attack their health minister Jane Ellison, who pushed the measure through. It is understood that the plans were not signed
by Donna Rachel Edmunds26 Jan 2015, 7:37 AM PST0

Yesterday’s announcement by the government that they will bring a vote on legislation to introduce plain packaging of cigarettes before the next general election in May has already caused splits in Prime Minister David Cameron’s government. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond
by Donna Rachel Edmunds23 Jan 2015, 7:33 AM PST0