Revenue seizes €413k worth of contraband in nationwide operations

Revenue officers have successfully intercepted significant amounts of illicit goods, including drugs, counterfeit items, tobacco, and cash, as part of ongoing efforts to tackle smuggling and criminal activity

Revenue officers have recently seized contraband with an estimated value of almost €413,000 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, and Rosslare Europort.

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

• almost 15kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of €296,800,
• various illicit drugs, with an estimated value of more than €11,000,
• tobacco products with an estimated value of almost €34,000,
• cash totalling €13,655, and
• 166 counterfeit items, with an estimated value of more than €55,000.

The herbal cannabis and illicit drugs were discovered, with the assistance of detector dogs Sam, Ciara and Enzo, whilst Revenue officers were examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands. The parcels originated from the USA, the UK, India, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Poland, and were destined for addresses nationwide.

55kg of chewing tobacco, with an estimated value of €30,250 was seized in Dublin Port when Revenue officers, with the assistance of detector dog Milo, searched freight originating from Germany. 

Additionally, 4,140 cigarettes, with a value of €3,735 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €2,950, were seized in separate operations in Kilkenny and the Midlands.

Two three month cash detention orders were granted, on 19 February by judge John Cheatle at Gorey District Court, to Revenue officers in Rosslare in respect of the cash seized. 

It is suspected that the cash is the proceeds of, or intended for use in, criminal activity and is detained by Revenue in accordance with proceeds of crime legislation.

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

In addition to the above, more than 265 litres of alcohol, with a retail value of almost €2,400 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer €1,920, were seized in Rosslare Europort and the Midlands.

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.