Customs officers have questioned a Russian man after they seized €15,000 worth of cigarettes and a motor vehicle in an intelligence-led operation in Co Clare.
Revenue’s Customs Service, backed up by local Gardaí, seized the 30,060 cigarettes yesterday (Monday) after executing search warrants at a private house in the Dromard area Ennis as well as business premises.
Backed up by local Gardaí, Revenue officers including a dog handler undertook the early morning searches.
Revenue’s tobacco detector dog Harvey identified several packages and boxes which upon inspection were found to contain cigarettes. Brands seized include ‘West’, ‘Winston Slims’, ‘Rothmans Slims’ and ‘Marlboro’.
Revenue confirmed: “A Russian man in his 30’s has been questioned by officers from Revenue’s Customs Service while an investigation is ongoing with a view to prosecution.”
Revenue confirmed that the cigarettes seized represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of nearly €12,000.