Revenue seize drugs, cigarettes and alcohol worth over €183,000 in Dublin and Rosslare

 Yesterday (13/12/2021), as a result of routine operations and with the assistance of detector dog Bailey, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin seized over 8.6 kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of more than €173,000.

The illegal drugs were discovered in a number of parcels that originated in the USA, Canada and Spain, and were declared as items such as ‘coffee’, ‘clothes samples’ and ‘custom decals’. The parcels were destined for addresses in Dublin and Cork.

Separately last week, as a result of routine profiling, Revenue officers seized approximately 11,660 ‘L&M’ brand cigarettes, 20 litres of spirits and almost 224 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort. The seized goods have a combined retail value of over €10,200, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €7,700.

The smuggled cigarettes and alcohol were discovered with the assistance of detector dog Gus and Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, when Revenue officers stopped and searched an Irish registered vehicle that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France.

A Polish national in his 40’s was questioned.

Investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and smuggling. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.

[ENDS 14/12/2021]