Revenue seize drugs and cigarettes in Dublin and Rosslare

Today (16/03/2021), Revenue officers at Dublin Mail Centre seized over 3kg of Herbal Cannabis, 70 tablets of Zopiclone, 60 tablets of Diazepam, 60 tablets of Benzodiazepine and 3g of Butane Honey Oil. The seizures were made with the assistance of Revenue detector dog Bailey.

The illegal drugs have a combined estimated value of almost €62,000 and were discovered in 20 separate parcels that originated in the USA, Canada, Germany and Croatia. The parcels were declared as items such as ‘dog clothing’, ‘canvas artwork’, ‘glass ashtrays’, ‘board games’, ‘action figures’ and ‘puzzles’. All parcels were destined for delivery in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

Separately, yesterday (15/03/2021), as a result of routine profiling, Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized approximately 13,400 cigarettes and 830g of tobacco. The illicit cigarettes branded ‘Benson & Hedges Option’, ‘Rothmans’, ‘L&M Red’, ‘L&M Blue’ and tobacco branded ‘Drum’, have an estimated retail value of over €10,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €7,932.

The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Czech registered van that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the cigarettes concealed within the load. A Czech national in his 40’s was questioned. Investigations are ongoing.

Finally, these seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting smuggling and 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 16/03/2021]