Customs and Excise operations seized almost €23 million worth of smuggled drugs and cigarettes so far this year, it emerged today.
Figures from the Revenue show hard drugs with a street value of around €10 million were confiscated at ports and towns around the State.
Mr Joe Costello, Labour Party justice spokesman, said the figures were alarming. "All the indications are that the amount of drug consumption is on the up. It's just got out of hand and it's not just Dublin but around the country," he said.
The Revenue admitted seizures were slow at the start of the year but pointed to two massive swoops which smashed international drug-dealing gangs.
Fifty eight kilos of cannabis was recovered at Rosslare port at the end of September while an ecstasy production and smuggling ring was thwarted with the help Dutch authorities.