Revenue officers at Dublin Port seized 4.5 million cigarettes and over three tonnes of roll-your-own tobacco yesterday.
A spokesperson for Revenue said the smuggled goods were found as a result of “routine operations and with the assistance of the Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner.”
“The illegal cigarettes branded ‘Kingdom’ and tobacco branded ‘The Turner‘ had an estimated retail value of €5.5 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €4.3 million,” the spokesperson said.
“The cigarettes and tobacco were discovered concealed in over 30 pallets manifested as ‘groupage’ that had arrived in Dublin Port from the Netherlands and were destined for an address in Co. Meath.
“Investigations are ongoing.”
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products.
If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.