Customs Seize 7 million Cigarettes
Revenue's Customs Service, on Wednesday (09/03/11), seized seven million contraband cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €3m and potential loss to the exchequer of €2.5m in a surveillance operation code named Operation Marble.
The cigarettes, which are believed to be counterfeit, were concealed in a 40 foot container which arrived at Dublin Port from China via Rotterdam. The contents of the container were described as "Ceramic Tiles".
The operation, which spanned over several days, resulted in the seizure of "Benson & Hedges" cigarettes and an articulated truck in Co. Louth. Follow-up searches under warrant were carried out on two private premises in Co. Donegal earlier today.
Several individuals in both Co. Donegal and Co. Louth have been interviewed. Investigations are ongoing both nationally and internationally.
[Ends 11/03/2011]