Revenue seizes cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol
In three separate operations over the last week in Dublin and Wexford, officers from Revenue's Customs Service seized 35,000 cigarettes and 12.5kgs of tobacco with a total retail value of over €22,200 and 41 litres of alcohol with a value of over €1,000.
- In an intelligence-led operation on Friday (21/08/2015), targeting the sale of illegal cigarettes in the Moore Street area, officers seized 10,600 cigarettes and 8.5 kgs of tobacco. The 'Marlboro', 'MG', 'BN' and 'Eagle' cigarettes and 'Eastenders' tobacco were discovered when officers, acting under warrant, searched a private dwelling in Dublin’s north inner city.
- On Saturday (22/08/2015), in a separate intelligence-led operation, officers seized 22,460 cigarettes and 41 litres of alcohol in Dublin Port. A vehicle was also seized. The cigarettes and alcohol was discovered when officers stopped and searched a Northern Irish registered car being driven by a Polish national that disembarked a ferry from Holyhead at Dublin Port.
- In the third operation in Enniscorthy, last Tuesday (18/8/2015), officers executing a warrant at a private house seized 1,940 counterfeit cigarettes and approximately 4kgs of tobacco. The cigarette brands included 'Marlboro', 'L&M' and 'West' and 'Casa Blanca' tobacco. A Polish male in his forties was questioned and investigations are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue's on going operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol 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: 24/8/2015