Contraband worth €282k seized during Revenue operations targeting 'shadow economy'

Investigations are underway after Revenue officers seized significant quantities of contraband during a number of operations in Dublin over the past week.

In one operation, 9.2 kgs of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €184,000, was seized while other illicit drugs, worth around €7,300 were also discovered in separate searches. Elsewhere, butane honey oil with an estimated value of €7,200 was also seized at a location in the capital.

"The illicit drugs were discovered in parcels originating from the USA, Canada, the UK, Thailand and India and were intended for various addresses nationwide," stated a Revenue spokesperson.

In another operation, a quantity of retail goods (pictured above), with an estimated value of €37,000, were seized due to infringements of Intellectual Property Rights while on Sunday, as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog Toby, Revenue officers seized over 46,200 cigarettes along with over 10 kgs of tobacco in North County Dublin.

According to Revenue, the illicit cigarettes and tobacco, including brands such as ‘Marlboro’, ‘Mayfair’, ‘Marine’, ‘Blue River’ and ‘Excellence’, have an estimated value of over €47,200, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €36,900.

Investigations into all of the 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," said a spokesperson.