Over €1 million worth of contraband seized across Ireland in latest Revenue crackdown

Last week, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €1,027,690 in various operations across Ireland including, Dublin, the Midlands, Wicklow, Monaghan, and Rosslare Europort.

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

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• Over 7.2 kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €144,280,
• Almost 1.71 kg of edibles, with an estimated value of over €1,700,
• 111 ml of cannabinoid liquid, with an estimated value of over €1,290,
• 20.3 g of ketamine, with an estimated value of over €1,200,
• Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €3,380,
• Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €861,550, and representing a potential loss to the exchequer of almost
• €661,470,
• Over 81 litres of alcohol with an estimated value of almost €1,290, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of almost €750, and,
• 30 counterfeit items with an estimated value of over €13,000.

Included in the tobacco products are over 560,000 cigarettes along with 75kg of tobacco following a search of a premises were seized in the Wicklow area. The seized tobacco products, which included the brands Marlboro Gold, L&B and Amber Leaf, have an estimated retail value of over €605,000, with a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €460,000.

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A man in his 40s was questioned. Investigations are ongoing.

Additionally, included in the tobacco products are over 270,000 cigarettes which were seized following a search, under warrant, of a residential premises in Co. Monaghan. A car was also seized following this search.

Detector dog Toby assisted in this operation. The illicit cigarettes were branded Oris, Marlboro, Winston, Kent, Rothman, NZ and Lucky Strike, and have an estimated retail value of over €256,000 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €201,000. A man and woman were questioned, and investigations are ongoing.

The herbal cannabis and illicit drug seizures were made as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog Daithi. The parcels originated from USA, the UK, Australia, Thailand, Brazil and Canada, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.

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The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. Four 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.