Customs seize 3.5 million cigarettes in Rosslare Europort

Officers from Revenue's Customs Service today (14/04/12) seized 3.5 million cigarettes at Rosslare Europort. The 'L&M' brand cigarettes have a retail value of €1.4m and represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of €1.2m.

The contraband cigarettes arrived into Rosslare Europort in a 40 foot roll-on roll-off on container on a ferry from Cherbourg. The consignment originated in Spain and was manifested as "paper products".

The Romanian driver of the Irish registered truck, owned by an Irish-based haulage company, was interviewed.

Investigations are ongoing both nationally and internationally.

Revenue would like to remind anyone tempted to buy cheap cigarettes from an irregular source of supply that there is a high possibility they are buying counterfeit goods, which provide an unknown set of health risks as the product is not the subject of quality control. It also takes much needed funds from the exchequer; hurts legitimate trade and is funding criminal activity. 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: 14/04/2012]