Revenue seize contraband worth €705,000

On Sunday (09/07/2023), as a result of risk profiling, Revenue officers seized 32.5kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €650,000 at Dublin Airport.

The illicit drugs were seized when a passenger was stopped and his luggage searched following his arrival off a direct flight from Los Angeles. The drugs were discovered concealed within vacuum-packed packages of the passenger’s luggage.

A man in his late teens was arrested by An Garda Síochána and detained overnight under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act 1996 at a North Dublin Garda Station. He is scheduled to appear at a sitting of court 4 of the Criminal Court of Justice this morning.

Investigations are ongoing.

Separately, on Sunday morning (09/07/2023) Revenue officers seized approximately 22,400 cigarettes during a search of a cargo vessel at the Belview Bulk Terminal, Port of Waterford. A Liberian-registered vessel had arrived into Ireland from Greece. The cigarettes, branded ‘Winston Blue’ and ‘Asos’, have an estimated value of almost €18,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €13,850. 

Lastly, on Saturday (08/07/2023), as a result of risk profiling, Revenue officers seized approximately 48,200 cigarettes during a search of a tanker vessel in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. The Maltese-registered vessel had arrived from Belfast. The cigarettes, branded ‘L&M’, ‘Fast’, ‘Winston’ and ‘Asos’ have an estimated value of over €38,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €30,000.

Investigations into both cigarette seizures are ongoing.

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

[ENDS 11/07/2023]