Seizure of 1 Million Cigarettes
Officers from Revenue Customs Service yesterday, Tuesday 10th October, seized approximately one million "Mayfair" brand cigarettes near Drogheda. The potential loss to revenue amounts to €248,000.
The consignment arrived in Dublin Airport on a flight which originated in Dubai. Following risk profiling by customs officers, the cartons were examined and discovered to contain contraband cigarettes. The consignment, packed in cartons said to contain labels, was then placed under surveillance awaiting collection.
The driver and a passenger, both males in their 40's from the border area, were then intercepted, interviewed and later released. Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.
This represents a further addition to the 40m cigarettes seized already this year of which 16.5m alone have been seized at Dublin Airport.
[Ends 11 October 2006]