REVENUE CUSTOMS SERVICE has seized 5.3 million contraband cigarettes with a retail value of approximately €2 million at Dublin Port today.
The ‘Raquel’, ‘Pride’, ‘Jim’ and ‘Capital’ brand cigarettes were found concealed in a shipment of industrial paper reels that arrived at Dublin Port from Rotterdam.
The cigarettes represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of €1.8 million, according to the Revenue.
They were discovered by officers during a routine scan of the consignment with the UK registered commercial vehicle and trailer in which they were concealed seized and the driver was interviewed by authorities.
Revenue says investigations are ongoing both nationally and internationally.
The latest seizure brings to 55.7 million the total number of cigarettes seized so far this year with an estimated retail value of €24 million.
Revenue has asked that if businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes that they contact Revenue in confidence on the free phone number 1800 295 295.
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