AROUND 8.2 MILLION cigarettes, with an estimated value of over €7.7 million, were seized at Dublin Port last week.
Revenue officers made the seizure on 22 May following routine risk profiling, with the assistance of detector dog Kobe and the use of Revenue’s mobile X-ray scanner.
The contraband was discovered in a consignment declared as cardboard confectionary, following a search of a container that had arrived on a vessel from Rotterdam.
The smuggled cigarettes were branded ‘Lambert & Butler’, ‘Richmond’ and ‘Top Gun’, and have an estimated value of over €7.7 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €6.1 million.
Investigations are ongoing.
A spokesperson said the seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products.
The spokesperson added that if businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence at the freephone number 1800 295 295.