Revenue seizes tobacco and cigarettes in Cork

In an intelligence- led operation, code named ‘Cigar’, officers from Revenue’s Customs Service last night (5/02/2014) seized 85kgs of tobacco and 3,800 cigarettes with a total estimated retail value of €35,720 and a potential loss to the Exchequer of €28,576 in Cork.

Officers originally discovered a quantity of tobacco and cigarettes when they stopped and searched, and subsequently seized, a 4x4 vehicle in the Mallow Road area of Cork city.

In a follow up search at a private residence in mid Cork, officers executed a search warrant and uncovered large amounts of unstamped 'Golden Virginia', ‘Amber Leaf’ and 'Original Virginia' tobacco and 'Jing Lin' cigarettes in the house when tobacco dog ‘Harvey’ reacted to an area behind a locked door.

A male non Irish national in his 30s was questioned and a file is being prepared for the DPP.

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: 06/02/2014]