Detector dogs Gus and Kelly help Revenue seize cigarettes and cash

As part of an intelligence led operation, and with the assistance of detector dogs Gus and Kelly, Revenue officers yesterday seized 196,000 cigarettes, 150kg of tobacco and a vehicle following a search, under warrant, of a number of premises in the Dublin 11 area.

The illicit cigarettes branded ‘Richmond, ‘Excellence’ and ‘NZ’, and the tobacco branded ‘Flandria’ and ‘Virginia’, have an estimated retail value of €220,000 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €178,000.

Also during the course of the operation, which was carried out with the assistance of An Garda Síochána, Revenue officers also discovered €28,000 and $1,300.

Detector dog Kelly

And fellow detector Gus

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

Today Revenue officers were granted a three month cash detention order by Judge Paula Murphy at Dublin Metropolitan District Court to allow for further investigations.
Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting organised crime and the supply of illegal tobacco products.

If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling they can contact Revenue in confidence on the confidential free phone number 1800 295 295.