Irish police chiefs today declared war on the gang plundering tens of millions of euro in cross-border crime.
Backed by government ministers, customs and asset-stripping agencies, they said they were concentrating their efforts on those smuggling drugs, stealing cars, laundering fuel and running counterfeiting rackets.
The joint Garda and PSNI Cross-Border Organised Crime Assessment also revealed major successes in halting illegal dumping in Northern Ireland that was threatening to wreak financial and environmental damage.
With Stormont Security Minister, Paul Goggins planning to bring in new powers to go after those involved, Northern Ireland Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde called for the seizure of any lorries caught transporting illegal waste.
He added: "This is one of the big success stories of cross-border co-operation, not just north and south but also in Scotland and national agencies, to prevent it becoming endemic, as it was likely to become."
The joint assessment, which is published bi-annually, was compiled by the two police forces, the Irish Revenue Commissioners, HM Customs & Revenue, the UK Immigration Service and the Assets Recovery Agency.
The 16-page report listed the most serious threats and included case studies to show how the authorities were going after the crooks involved.
In one case, more than 50 million cigarettes and 2.4 tonnes of tobacco were seized in the Irish Republic by the Revenue Commissioners in 2005.
The haul included 20 million cigarettes discovered in maritime freight, with countries of origin including Belgium, Lithuania, Spain, Ukraine and China.
During the 2004/05 financial year HMRC also seized 35 million cigarettes in Northern Ireland.
Neither police service could record any evidence of human trafficking, but they did warn of several people smuggling operations taking advantage of the border to allow easier movement onwards to the UK mainland.
But Mr Goggins told a conference in Limavady, Derry, where the dossier was launched today, that the border would offer no protection to anyone involved in rogue organisations.
He said: "Those engaged in organised crime, who ignore or attempt to use the border to their advantage, are finding that law enforcement in both jurisdictions are working together to thwart and disrupt their illegal activity and put them out of business."
He also praised the law enforcement agencies for their successes to date. "They have been effective in targeting criminal gangs who peddle lethal drugs to our children, who threaten the livelihood of honest traders by selling fake goods and put lives at risks by selling goods that are not safe.
"Their lavish lifestyles offend all law abiding citizens who work hard to earn an honest living."
PA