Revenue seizes cigarettes, spirits and beer

In an intelligence-led operation today (15/12/2014), officers from Revenue’s Customs Service, assisted by An Garda Síochána, seized 524,500 cigarettes, 745 litres of spirits, 185 litres of beer, 3 vehicles and cash totalling €29,810. Revenue detection dogs Harvey, Frankie and Ben also assisted in the operation.

The operation involved a number of searches of both residential and commercial premises, under warrant, in Donegal, Mayo, Roscommon and Kildare. As well as cigarettes and alcohol, various documents were also seized.

The retail value of the cigarettes, which included ‘Marlboro Red’, ‘West’, ‘L&M’ and ‘WZ Gold,’ is €238,000*. The retail value of the 23 varieties of spirits, which included vodka and whiskey, is € 27,200** .

A number of people are being questioned and files are being prepared for prosecution.　

In welcoming these seizures, Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin said: "This operation is a result of months of painstaking investigations and co-operation between Revenue and An Garda Síochána". He added: "Revenue is determined to disrupt this type of illegal activity and to vigorously prosecute those involved".　

[Ends 15/12/14]

*The cigarettes and spirits seized represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €200,650* and €22,000 **. This is assuming that they would have displaced the equivalent full tax paid quantity of cigarettes and spirits.