Revenue seizes €4m worth of contraband including cigarettes, cannabis, heroin and fake bags
Four million cigarettes were seized at Dublin Port a week ago following detection by risk profiling, an X-ray scanner sniffer dog Milo
Beginning last Monday, the agency tasked with customs enforcement collected the goods during operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Cork and Rosslare Europort in Wexford.All detections were made following risk profiling and intelligence-led operations.Tobacco products in the form of 4 million cigarettes worth around €3.7 million were seized from a trailer at Dublin Port following detection by risk profiling, an X-ray scanner and sniffer dog Milo.The items were branded Terea, Camel, Neafs, Hookah, Richmond King Size, Lambert & Butler Original, Kent Core, Vogue Bleue, Pall Mall, Amber Leaf and Silk Cut Blue, representing what would have otherwise been a loss of €2.9 million in revenue to the Exchequer.Counterfiet goods branded Gucci, Nike, New Era, Christian Dior, Asics, Coco Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton to the tune of €172,000 were also taken by Revenue along with €72,900 in herbal cannabis weighing 3.6kg in total.Illicit alcohol products were among the items seized as well – 2,120 litres with a value of €22,700 – were collected by Revenue officers.The herbal cannabis and illicit drugs seizures were made as a result of risk profiling with assistance of detector dogs Sam and Ciara. The parcels originated from the USA, France, the UK and Canada and were destined for various addresses nationwide.Drugs were also retrieved from the overall illicit haul, namely cannabinoid vape liquids, cannabis resin, cocaine, crack cocaine, edibles, ketamine, khat, LSD, reefers and synthetic cannabinoids.More drugs were gathered from the seizures such as 38g of heroin worth just over €5,000.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.A spokesperson for Revenue confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
