Revenue seize contraband worth almost €1.4 million in Dublin

On Saturday (02/09/2023), as part of two separate intelligence-led operations, Revenue officers seized approximately 37kgs of herbal cannabis and approximately 10kgs of suspected ketamine with estimated values of €740,000 and €600,000 respectively, at Dublin Airport.

The illicit drugs were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched the baggage of passengers who had disembarked flights from New York and Amsterdam.

Two women in their 20s were arrested by An Garda Síochána and taken to a Dublin Garda Station where they are currently detained under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. 

Investigations are ongoing.

Separately, on 02/09/2023, as a result of an intelligence-led operation and with the assistance of detector dog Toby, Revenue officers seized over 56,000 cigarettes and 1.4kgs of tobacco following the search, under warrant, of three premises in Dublin’s inner city.

The seized cigarettes and tobacco, of various brands, had a retail value of €45,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €35,000.

A man in his 50s was questioned and investigations are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling, shadow economy activity and the supply of illegal tobacco products. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on phone number 1800 295 295.

[ENDS 04/09/2023]