Revenue Customs Officers based at Shannon Airport have seized 10.5kg of herbal cannabis worth over €200,000.
Over the past week, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €458,300 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Shannon Airport and Rosslare Europort.
Included in the herbal cannabis seizures was 10.5kg at Shannon Airport, with an estimated value of €210,000. The seizure was made following routine risk profiling, with the assistance of detector dog Brody.
The detections, at various locations around the country, were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included:
12.1kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €249,200,
Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €81,300, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €63,500,
600g of ketamine, with an estimated value of over €48,000,
117 counterfeit items, with an estimated value of over €47,400,
150g of cocaine, with an estimated value of over €15,000,
Over 408 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of over €4,935 and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €2,765,
Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €12,000.
Included in the tobacco products seized was over 29,000 cigarettes at Dublin Port. The cigarettes branded ‘John Player Blue’, ‘Silk Cut Purple’ and ‘Superkings Original Black’, have an estimated value of over €27,600 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €21,700. The seizure was made following routine risk profiling, with the assistance of detector dog Milo. The cigarettes were discovered in a vehicle that had travelled from Holyhead to Dublin.
The herbal cannabis and illicit drugs seizures were made as a result of risk profiling. The parcels originated from the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, France and Thailand, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. One weapon accessory was also seized.
Investigations into all seizures are ongoing.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.