REVENUE OFFICERS LAST week seized contraband with an estimated value of over €695,000 in separate operations across Dublin, the Midlands, Co Cavan and Rosslare Europort.

In total, the detections included 21.5kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of close to €420,000.

Tobacco products with an estimated value of over €202,000, and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €157,000, were also seized.

Elsewhere, 87 counterfeit items were seized, with an estimated value of over €16,900.

Meanwhile, over 490 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of over €6,200, was seized.

Image of seized cigarettes, tobacco products and alcohol Revenue Revenue

Detector dog Toby assisted in the seizures, and helped Revenue officers to seize a vehicle, over 26,000 cigarettes and around €8,900 in cash.

This seizure was made following a search of a vehicle and subsequent searches, under warrant, of two premises in Co Cavan.

Toby was also involved in another seizure on Sunday at a market in north county Dublin where 146,900 cigarettes and 22.5kg of tobacco were seized.

Elsewhere, detector dogs Ciara and Sam helped Revenue to seize herbal cannabis and illicit drugs from parcels which originated from the US, UK, Spain, Greece, France, Brazil, Sweden and India, and which were destined for various addresses nationwide.

Image of seized herbal cannabis Revenue Revenue

Meanwhile, the counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights.

The counterfeit goods included knock-offs of brands such as Adidas, Chanel, Canada Goose, Christian Dior, Essentials, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Nike, On Cloud, Prada, Ralph Lauren and Stone Island.

A spokesperson said investigations into all the seizures are ongoing. 

They added that these operations form part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity.

Revenue appealed to any businesses or members of the public who have any information regarding smuggling to contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.