REVENUE OFFICERS HAVE seized over 6 kilogrammes of herbal cannabis and 20,000 cigarettes in three separate operations.

As a result of routine profiling today, Revenue officers in Portlaoise Mailing Centre seized over 6.2 kilogrammes of herbal cannabis with an estimated street value of €124,000.

The illegal drugs were discovered concealed in a consignment of parcels marked as “gifts” that originated in Thailand.

Investigations are ongoing with a view of prosecution, according to Revenue.

Meanwhile, Revenue officers in Dublin today seized a consignment of 10,000 unstamped cigarettes which were branded “NZ Gold” and originated in Belarus. The unstamped cigarettes were concealed in packaging marked “insulation equipment”.

And finally, Revenue officers also seized 10,000 unstamped cigarettes yesterday following a searched, carried out under warrant, of a private residence in Lucan, Co Dublin.

The seized cigarettes, also branded “NZ Gold”, originated in Belarus.

A man and a woman, both in their 50s, were questioned.

The combined retail value of the seized cigarettes is €11,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €8,870.

Revenue said investigations are ongoing with a view of prosecution.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targetting the supply and sale of illegal drugs and tobacco products in the shadow economy.

Revenue is asking anyone who may know someone evading or involved in smuggling to report it by contacting Revenue’s confidential freephone on 1800 295 295.