Revenue seize over €1 million of illegal cigarettes in Dublin Port

Investigations are ongoing.

Over €1 million worth of illegal cigarettes has been recovered by the Revenue following a seizure at Dublin Port on Thursday evening. As a result of ongoing profiling, Revenue officers seize 1.4 tonnes of processed tobacco after investigating a shipment that arrived from China. The tobacco has an estimated retail value of over €815,000, representing a loss to the exchequer of approximately €721,000. In a separate incident at Dublin Port earlier this month, 432,000 cigarettes, also originating from China and branded 'MB Blue' and 'Benson and Hedges' with a retail value of €234,000, were claimed. On 6 September, a surveillance operation led to the detaining of an Italian-registered merchant vessel off the coast of Dublin. During a subsequent search, over 118,140 cigarettes - branded 'L&M', 'Marlboro' and 'Winston' - with an estimated retail value of over €70,000 were seized. The vessel was later released on payment of a penalty of €50,000. A spokesperson for the Revenue confirmed to JOE that the seizures are part of ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products. The Revenue has appealed to businesses and members of the public who may have relevant information regarding the smuggling to contact them in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295. Investigations are ongoing.