Revenue seize over 31,000 cigarettes and 18.75kg of tobacco in Offaly
Yesterday (15/05/19), Revenue officers seized 31,480 unstamped cigarettes and 18.75 kilogrammes of tobacco following the search, under warrant, of a residential property in Birr, Co. Offaly.
These seizures were part of ongoing intelligence led joint operations by Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána. The unstamped cigarettes, branded ‘NZ’, ‘Email’ and ‘Excellence’, and the unstamped tobacco branded ‘Amber Leaf’ had a combined retail value of €28,028 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €24,530.
A number of persons were interviewed in relation to the matter and investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.
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 smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.
[ENDS 16/05/2019]