Revenue seizes 700,000 cigarettes at Dublin Airport

Officers from Revenue's Customs Service at Dublin airport seized approximately 700,000 cigarettes in three separate operations this week with an estimated retail value of €316,275 and a potential loss to the Exchequer of €243,463.

On Tuesday 26th June, Officers at Dublin Airport seized 606,000 cigarettes with a value of €275,000 and a potential loss to the Exchequer of €210,000. The cigarettes had arrived in freight from Greece described as car parts. The consignment was kept under surveillance and intercepted in the Bray area. The cigarettes, a vehicle and trailer were seized and a 43-year-old Romanian national was questioned and later released. A file is being prepared for the DPP. The cigarettes were of the "Milano", "Lion" and "Gold Classic" brands.

On Wednesday 27th June, 70,000 cigarettes were seized at Dublin Airport when Revenue Officers targeted a flight from Krakow. Four males and four females, aged from 16 to 34, were questioned and later released. The cigarettes, valued at €31,675 with a potential loss to the Exchequer of €25,000, contained the "Marlboro" and "L&M" brands.

Yesterday (Thursday 28th June 2012), Revenue Officers at Dublin airport arrested a 21-year-old Lithuanian woman for excise offences related to the attempted smuggling of a total of 21,200 cigarettes on 4th May 2012 and 28th June 2012. The woman was intercepted as she arrived from Moscow yesterday and Officers discovered 9,200 cigarettes in her baggage. She was previously detected on 4th May 2012, also coming from Moscow with 12,000 cigarettes. She was arrested and later appeared the Court of Criminal Justice where she was charged with the two offences. She was remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday 5th July 2012. The cigarettes are valued at €9,600 with a potential loss to the Exchequer of €8,463.

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.

[End 29/06/2012]