Revenue seizes cigarettes in Dublin

In an intelligence led operation officers from Revenue's Customs Service in Dublin Port, acting under warrant, today (13/12/13) searched two private houses in the Dublin area and seized 40,000 illegal cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €19,448 and a potential loss to the Exchequer of €16,525.

This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes in the shadow economy.

In a separate operation at Dublin Airport on Monday 8 December, officers seized over 12,000 'Red Compliment Slim' and 'Blue Compliment Slim' cigarettes from a Lithuanian national who arrived on a flight from Moscow via Copenhagen.

He was arrested and charged before Judge Patricia McNamara at the Courts of Criminal Justice on 9th December and held on remand until today (13/12/13) where he pleaded guilty in Cloverhill District Court. Judge Grainne Malone imposed a custodial sentence of 14 days back-dated to the 8th December.

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

[Ends: 13/12/13]