Revenue officers seized almost 25,000 illegal cigarettes at Dublin Airport on Wednesday, September 21 as part of an intelligence-led operation.
Officials found a total of 24,800 cigarettes and 4.35kgs of tobacco, with a combined retail value of around €21,500, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €17,000.
The contraband, of various brands, was discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched the checked baggage of two Polish nationals who had disembarked a flight from Poznan, Poland.
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Last Saturday, September 17 also proved to be a successful day for Revenue officers, after routine profiling led them to seize around 22,500 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort.
This was found following the search of an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France.
The smuggled alcohol had an estimated retail value of almost €90,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €42,000.
Investigations into both seizures are ongoing.
A Revenue spokesperson released a statement this evening confirming: “On Wednesday (21/09/2022), as a result of an intelligence-led operation, Revenue officers at Dublin Airport seized 24,800 cigarettes and 4.35kgs of tobacco, with a combined retail value of approximately €21,500, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €17,000.
“The illegal cigarettes, of various brands, were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched the checked baggage of two Polish nationals who had disembarked a flight from Poznan, Poland.
“Separately, last Saturday (17/09/2022), as a result of routine profiling, Revenue officers seized approximately 22,500 litres of beer at Rosslare Europort following the search of an unaccompanied trailer that had arrived on a ferry from Dunkirk, France.
“The smuggled alcohol had an estimated retail value of almost €90,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €42,000.”
These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and smuggling.
It is reminded businesses, or members of the public, that if they have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
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