Revenue seizes illicit alcohol in Dublin and Cork

Today (22/08/2017), as a result of routine profiling, Revenue officers at Dublin Port seized over 530 litres of undeclared alcohol, which they found hidden in a consignment of soft drinks and snacks that had arrived into Dublin Port from Portugal. The smuggled alcohol has a retail value of over €6,800 and represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €3,500.

Yesterday (21/08/2017), in a separate intelligence-led operation, Revenue officers in Cork carried out a search under warrant of a private premises in a town in North Cork, and seized 18 litres of suspected counterfeit vodka. They were assisted in the operation by local Gardaí, who seized suspected counterfeit clothing items.  An Irish man in his 30s was questioned.

Revenue investigations in both cases are ongoing, with a view to prosecution.

Revenue would like to remind anyone tempted to buy cheap alcohol, tobacco or consumer goods from an irregular source of supply that there is a high possibility that they are buying counterfeit goods. Publicans and consumers should only purchase alcohol from reputable sources of supply. 

Vodka is the most commonly counterfeited alcohol. Counterfeit vodka often contains high quantities of methanol, a poisonous chemical that can cause breathing difficulties, liver damage or blindness;  and isopropyl alcohol, a chemical solvent commonly found in nail varnish remover.

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

Ends: 22/08/2017