Revenue seize machinery and materials associated with illicit cigarette manufacturing

Last Thursday (6/2/2020), Revenue officers discovered and seized machinery and materials such as cigarette filters, foil and carton paper, associated with illicit cigarette manufacturing following a search, under warrant, of a commercial premises in the Dublin 3 area. There was no illicit manufacturing in operation on the premises.

As part of Revenue’s ongoing action against smuggling of tobacco products, Revenue officers also seized 240kgs of processed tobacco and approximately 60,000 cigarettes which were concealed in wooden crates. The tobacco and cigarettes have a combined retail value of approximately €174,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €153,168.

Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

On Monday (10/2/2020), Revenue officers seized 800,000 cigarettes when, as a result of routine profiling, a container which arrived into Dublin Port from Rotterdam was x-rayed using Revenue’s mobile scanner. The smuggled cigarettes branded “Pect" have a retail value of almost €460,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €368,000

Investigations are ongoing.

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

[ENDS 12/02/2020]