Revenue seize 440,000 cigarettes in Dublin Port and cannabis worth €21,000 in Co Clare

Today (21/10/2019), as part of an intelligence led operation, Revenue officers seized approximately 440,000 unstamped cigarettes in Dublin Port. The cigarettes were discovered, with the assistance of Revenue detector dog Kelly, when officers stopped and searched a shipment originating from Hong Kong as it arrived in Dublin Port from Rotterdam.

The illegal cigarettes, branded ‘Marlboro Gold’ and ‘MB Blue’, have a retail value of over €240,000 and represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €205,000. The cigarettes were found concealed in a shipment described as ‘tea tables’.

In a separate operation today (21/10/2019), Revenue officers seized just over a kilogram of herbal cannabis, following a search, under warrant, of a premises in the Shannon area of Co Clare.

The illegal drugs, with an estimated street value of €21,000, were discovered as a result of an intelligence led, joint operation conducted by Revenue’s Customs Service, members of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Clare Garda Drugs Unit.

A 24 year old man was arrested at the scene and is currently being detained in Shannon Garda Station under section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996.

Investigations are ongoing following both operations.

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

ENDS  [21/10/2019]