Revenue seize over 31,000 cigarettes and 18.75kg of tobacco valued at €28,028 during midlands search

Revenue officers seized 31,480 unstamped cigarettes and 18.75 kilogrammes of tobacco, valued at €28,028, following a search, under warrant, of a residential property in the midlands yesterday.

These seizures from an address in Birr, Co Offaly were part of ongoing intelligence led joint operations by Revenue’s Customs Service and An Garda Síochána.

The unstamped cigarettes, branded ‘NZ’, ‘Email’ and ‘Excellence’, and the unstamped tobacco branded ‘Amber Leaf’ had a combined retail value of €28,028 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €24,530.

A number of persons were interviewed in relation to the matter and investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products in the shadow economy. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.