Revenue seizes cigarettes and tobacco in Wexford and Wicklow

In on going operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol in the shadow economy, officers from Revenue’s Customs Service have seized almost 45,000 cigarettes, 22.5kgs of unstamped tobacco and cigars with a total retail value of approximately €31,000* in Wexford and Wicklow.

• On Tuesday 25/8/15, in a joint operation with An Garda Siochána, officers seized 43,200 unstamped cigarettes, 21.2 kgs of unstamped tobacco, over 300 cigars and a quantity of vodka in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford. The seizure included "777", and "Benson & Hedges Dual Blue" brand cigarettes and "Domingo" and "Turner" tobacco. Investigations are ongoing.
• In Co. Wicklow yesterday 26/08/15, in a specific project targeting illegal house sellers of tobacco products officers seized 1,600 unstamped cigarettes, including brands, "John Player Blue" and "L&M" and 1.2kgs of "Condor" tobacco. The seizures were from two houses in Arklow and one in Wicklow Town. Files are 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 27/08/15

* The cigarettes, tobacco and cigars represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €25.000. This is assuming that they would have displaced the equivalent full tax paid quantity of cigarettes, cigars and tobacco.