Revenue seize contraband worth over €7 million in Dublin, the Midlands and Cork
These discoveries were made as a result of risk profiling and the seizures included:
- 3.42 million cigarettes, with an estimated value of €2.9 million, at the Port of Cork
- and
- 194.5 kgs of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of almost €3.9 million, at Dublin Port.
The illicit cigarettes were detected, with the assistance of detector dog Rua, when Revenue officers stopped and searched an unaccompanied trailer which had arrived from Zeebrugge, Belgium. The cigarettes represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of €2.25 million and a man in his 20s was questioned in relation to the seizure.
The herbal cannabis was detected, with the assistance of Revenue's mobile x-ray scanner, when Revenue officers examined a trailer that had arrived from Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The drugs were discovered concealed in vacuum-packed packages in a consignment of suitcases.
In addition, Revenue officers made the following discoveries when examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands:
- almost 10.4 kgs of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of €207,000
- various quantities of other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of €2,500
- 4,800 unstamped cigarettes, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €2,600
- and
- a quantity of retail goods, with an estimated value of €10,750.
The illegal drugs were discovered, as a result of risk profiling, in parcels originating from the USA, the UK, Canada, Spain, Poland, India and Thailand, and were intended for addresses nationwide.
The retail goods were seized due to infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.
These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
[ENDS 19/08/2024]