Cigarettes and tobacco seizures in Cork

In a series of anti-cigarette smuggling operations in the South West Region over the last week, officers from Revenue's Customs Service in Cork made a number of seizures of cigarettes and tobacco.

This afternoon (03/02/2012), officers at Cork Airport seized 14,340 cigarettes from a 33 year old Romanian man who had arrived on a flight from Paris. The 'L&M ' and 'Monte Carlo' brand cigarettes had a retail value of €6,130 and an estimated loss to the exchequer of €4,000.

In a further operation today (03/02/2012), officers seized 9,500 cigarettes and 3 Kgs of 'Samson' tobacco at a private dwelling in Carrigaline. The 'President', 'Richman', 'Superking' cigarettes and tobacco had a retail value of €5,000 and an estimated loss to the exchequer of 3,300.

On Thursday (02/02/2012), officers at Cork Airport seized over 17,400 cigarettes from two men, a 51 year old Latvian and a 33 year old Lithuanian who had arrived on a flight from Lanzarote. The ' Respect ' brand cigarettes were concealed in their luggage and had a retail value of €7,237 with a potential loss to the exchequer of €5,947.

In an intelligence-led operation on Thursday night (02/02/2012), code named 'Operation Cube', officers from Cork, assisted by Gardaí from Mayfield Garda Station, seized 80,000 unstamped ' Richman' cigarettes and 75Kgs of 'Samson' tobacco at a private dwelling on the north side of the city. The cigarettes and tobacco were concealed under a cover load of 'kindling'. A car and commercial vehicle were also seized.

In a follow up operation on the same night, officers seized a further 5.5 Kgs of 'Samson' tobacco at a separate dwelling.

These two seizures had a retail value of €62,175 with a potential loss to the exchequer of €42,000.

On the 26 January, officers at Cork Airport seized 5,340 cigarettes from a a 43 year old Latvian man who had arrived on a flight from Barcelona. The '7' brand cigarettes, which had an estimated retail value of €2,284 and an approximate loss to the exchequer of €2,105, were concealed in his luggage. He was arrested and charged by Customs officers in respect of attempted evasion of excise duty. He appeared before Judge David Riordan yesterday (02/02/2012) and was given a six months suspended sentence and a fine of €1,500.

If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Free Phone Number 1800 295 295.

[Ends: 03/02/2012]