Revenue seizes cash and cigarettes in Dublin

As a result of an intelligence-led operation, officers from Revenue's Customs Service seized €168,000 from an Irish national at Dublin Port on Monday (20/10/2014).

The seizure was made in accordance with the proceeds of crime legislation when a man in his forties was stopped and questioned by officers as he was about to board a ferry to Holyhead.

Revenue officers were granted a three-month detention order this morning (22/10/14) by Judge Walsh in the Criminal Courts of Justice in order to carry out further investigations.

In a separate intelligence-led operation today (22/10/14), officers from Revenue's Customs Service, acting under warrant, seized 3,280 cigarettes and 2.6kgs of tobacco with an estimated retail value of €2,600*.

The 'MG’s', 'Marlboro', '821 Red' and 'Golden Eagle' brand cigarettes and 'Amber Leaf' and 'Eastenders' tobacco were discovered during the course of a search at an apartment in Dublin’s North inner city. A female was questioned regarding the cigarettes and investigations are continuing with a view to prosecution.

This seizure is part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes in the shadow economy. 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: 22/10/14]

* The tobacco and cigarettes seized represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of €2,180. This is assuming that it would have displaced the equivalent full tax paid quantity of cigarettes.