Revenue seize contraband worth over €479,250 in various operations

Over the week commencing 06/10/2025, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €479,250 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Rosslare Europort, and Waterford.

The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included the following:

• 9.25kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €185,500.
• Almost 565 g of Butane Honey Oil, with an estimated value of almost €11,300.
• Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €2,300.
• Tobacco products, with an estimated value of almost €86,400, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of almost €66,400.
• Over €30,000 of cash.
• 281 counterfeit items with an estimated value of over €163,750.

Included in the tobacco products are over 48,000 cigarettes, which were seized following the search of a market in North County Dublin on Sunday, 12/10/2025. The seized cigarettes had an estimated retail value of over €43,700 with a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €34,500. A man in his 50s was questioned and investigations are ongoing.

The herbal cannabis seizures were made as a result of risk profiling, and with the assistance of detector dogs Ciara and Sam. The parcels, which originated from the USA, the UK and the Czech Republic, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.

Two separate cash seizures occurred in Rosslare on 07/10/25 and 11/10/25 of £7,000 and €17,700 respectively. In respect of the £7,000, District Court Judge John Cheatle granted an application for a 3-month detention order. In respect of the €17,700, Gorey District Court Judge Kevin Staunton granted an application for a 3-month detention order. Additionally, on 09/10/2025, cash totalling €4,667 was also seized in Co. Wexford and a 3-month detention order subsequently granted by Judge Treasa Kelly at Carlow District Court

The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. Thirty-one weapons 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 12/10/2025]