Revenue seize contraband worth over €580,000 in various operations
Over the past week, commencing 18/05/2026, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €580,000 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Wexford, and Rosslare Europort.
The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included the following:
- 12.9 kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €258,400
- Various illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €148,300
- Over 29,400 litres of alcohol with an estimated value of over €118,900, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of €54,600
- Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €21,500, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of almost €16,700
- and
- 148 counterfeit items with an estimated value of over €33,700.
The herbal cannabis and illicit drugs seizures were made as a result of risk profiling with the assistance of detector dog Ciara. The parcels originated from the US, the UK, Romania, Greece, New Zealand, Spain, and Canada, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.
Included in the illicit drugs seizures was a discovery made by Revenue officers at Dublin Port of approximately 72,000 Temazepam (Benzodiazepine) tablets. The controlled drugs have an estimated value of over €144,000 and were discovered in a consignment originating in Romania, and declared as supplements.
The alcohol seizures included almost 26,000 litres of beer seized following an operation at Rosslare Europort. The alcohol which arrived on a trailer from France, has a value of over €103,300, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of over €48,400.
Included in the tobacco products was a seizure of over 15,000 cigarettes following a search of a premises by Revenue officers in Co. Wexford. The cigarettes have a value of over €14,400, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of over €11,300.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. 17 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 27/05/2026]