Revenue seizes 9m cigarettes in Co. Louth

In an intelligence-led operation, officers from Revenue’s Customs Service, in conjunction with CAB and An Garda Síochána, this morning (17/09/13) seized approximately 9 million cigarettes with a retail value of €4.3m and a potential loss to the Exchequer of €3.7m.

The seizure, which had arrived into the State through Dublin Port from Malaysia, was made when a truck and a 4x4 vehicle were stopped at a service station on the M1 near Castlebellingham, Co Louth. Four men were arrested at the scene (aged between 36 and 44 years) and are currently detained at Drogheda and Dundalk Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

During follow up searches, a number of business premises and private residences were searched.

Investigations are continuing.

This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes in the shadow economy and brings to approximately 35m the number of cigarettes seized by Revenue to date this year.

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: 17/09/2013]