Customs Seize 6.5m Cigarettes in Co. Louth
Revenue's Customs Service, assisted by Gardaí from Collon and Ardee, this evening (06/07/11) seized approximately 6.5m contraband cigarettes. The cigarettes, with a value of approximately €2.7m and potential loss to the Exchequer of €2.1m, were seized at a premises in Collon, Co Louth.
The operation, which spanned over two days, involved monitoring the movements of a maritime Lo/Lo container, which arrived at Dublin port from Belgium yesteday (05/07/11). The consignment, containing "Palace" and "Capital" brand cigarettes, was declared as carrying "packaging material".
Two commercial vehicles and a curtain-sided trailer were also seized.
Three males, two with addresses in Co. Louth and one with an address in Dublin, were arrested and are being held at Dundalk Garda Station.
This latest seizure brings the total number of cigarettes seized to date this year to approximately 70m with a retail value of approximately €24m.
[Ends 06/07/11]