National: Drugs and cigarettes worth nearly €1m sniffed out by detector dogs Milo and Grace

Significant quantities  of drugs and illicit cigarettes worth almost €1 million have been seized by Revenue officers during a number of searches over the past week.

Whilst examining parcels at several locations in Dublin, Revenue officers seized over 45.4kgs of herbal cannabis and 14,000 illicit cigarettes with a combined estimated value of over €920,000.

According to an update issued by Revenue, the discoveries were made as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dogs Milo and Grace.

"The illicit drugs, with a combined value of approximately €910,000, were discovered in parcels originating from the USA, Spain, Canada and Thailand and were destined for addresses in Dublin, Roscommon, Wicklow, Meath, Kerry and Limerick," said a spokesperson.

"The illegal cigarettes, with a value of just over €11,000, originated in Poland and China and were destined for addresses in Kilkenny, Tipperary and Northern Ireland. Investigations are ongoing," they added.

Revenue says the latest 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 drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.

Investigations into all of the seizures are ongoing.