Revenue seize contraband worth over €695,000 in various operations
Over the past week, commencing 11/05/2026, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €695,000 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Co. Cavan, and Rosslare Europort.
The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included the following:
- 21.5kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €419,500
- Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €202,000 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €157,100
- 5.4kg of cannabis resin, with an estimated value of over €31,600
- 87 counterfeit items, with an estimated value of over €16,900
- Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €9,900
- and
- Over 490 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of over €6,200 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €3,300.
Included in the seizures, as part of an intelligence led operation and with the assistance of detector dog Toby, Revenue officers seized a vehicle, 26,200 cigarettes and approximately €8,900 cash. The seizures were made following a search of a vehicle and subsequent searches, under warrant, of two premises in Co. Cavan.
Also included in the seizures, as part of a joint operation involving Revenue and An Garda Síochána with the assistance of detector dog Toby, were 146,900 cigarettes and 22.5kg of tobacco which were seized on Sunday, 17/05/2026, at a market in North County Dublin. The seized cigarettes and tobacco, of various brands, have an estimated value of over €160,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €124,000. A quantity of alcohol was also seized.
The herbal cannabis and illicit drugs seizures were made as a result of risk profiling with the assistance of detector dogs Ciara and Sam. The parcels originated from the US, the UK, Spain, Greece, France, Brazil, Sweden, and India, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. One hundred and seventy-two weapons accessories were also seized.
Investigations into all seizures are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
[Ends 18/05/2026]