Revenue seize contraband worth over €700,000

Yesterday (17/05/2023), as a result of routine operations, Revenue officers seized over 752,000 cigarettes at Dublin Port. The cigarettes have an estimated retail value of approximately €594,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €465,000.

The smuggled cigarettes, branded ‘Dunhill’ and ‘Karelia Blue’, were discovered concealed in metal boxes in a consignment which had originated in Bulgaria.

Investigations are ongoing.

Separately, also yesterday (17/05/2023) and as a result of routine operations, Revenue officers seized 4kgs of herbal cannabis at Shannon Airport with the assistance of detector dog Harley. The illegal drugs, with an estimated value of €80,000, were discovered in two separate parcels originating from the United States and were destined for an address in Tipperary.

Investigations are ongoing.

Finally, last Friday (12/05/2023) at Fermoy District Court, Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge Joanne Carroll. This followed the seizure that day of €31,000 in cash and 6.5kgs of ‘roll your own tobacco’ from a residential property in Charleville, Co. Cork. The discovery was made when Revenue officers, assisted by detector dog Obi, conducted a search of the property under warrant. The cash was comprised of denominations from €5 to €500 whilst the unstamped tobacco, branded ‘Amber Leaf’, had a retail value of almost €5,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €3,700.

A female in her 20s was questioned and 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 about smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on phone number 1800 295 295.

[ENDS 18/05/2023]