Revenue seizes contraband cigarettes in the Thurles area

On Wednesday (02/12/15) in a joint operation with An Garda Síochána, Revenue officers seized 10,000 smuggled cigarettes with a retail value of €5,200 in the Thurles area.

The cigarettes, branded ‘Excellence’, were being transported in a car. The driver was questioned and the car was seized. In a follow-up search of a private residence, a further small quantity of illegal cigarettes was found and seized. Investigations are ongoing.

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

Ends: 04/12/2015

*The cigarettes represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €4,430. This is assuming they would have displaced the equivalent full tax paid quantity of cigarettes.