Revenue seizes 48,800 cigarettes at Cork Airport

This morning, (04/03/2019), following routine profiling, Revenue officers at Cork Airport seized 40,400 cigarettes when they stopped and searched a passenger who had arrived from Nigeria. The cigarettes were branded ‘Benson & Hedges’. The passenger, a Nigerian man in his twenties, was questioned.

Separately, yesterday evening (03/03/2019), Revenue officers seized 8,400 cigarettes when they stopped and searched the baggage of a passenger at Cork Airport. The cigarettes, branded ‘Double Happiness’ and ‘Hongtashan’, were found hidden in the passenger’s suitcase, who had arrived on a flight originating in China. The passenger, an Irish man in his fifties, was questioned.

The seized cigarettes have an estimated retail value of over €29,280, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €23,100.

Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

The majority of people pay the right amount of tax and duty. These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products 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 Freephone 1800 295 295.

[ENDS 04/03/2019]