Revenue seize contraband worth over €2.5 million in just one week
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity.
This past week, commencing on December 2 and concluding on December 9, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €2.5 million in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Rosslare and Shannon.
The detections included counterfeit goods with an estimated value of €1,981,615, approximately 17.5 kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of almost €350,000, about 2.3 kg of cocaine with an estimated value of €162,400, 1,320 litres of alcohol with an estimated retail value of €15,640, and various other illicit drugs with an estimated value of €4,500.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights.
A commercial quantity of counterfeit Nike-branded runners, consisting of 9,156 pairs of trainers in 35 different designs, with an estimated value of €1,693,860 were also seized.
This seizure was made as a result of risk profiling when Revenue officers stopped and searched a freight shipment which arrived into Dublin Port, having originated in China.
The herbal cannabis, together with 1 kg of cocaine and the various other illicit drugs, were seized as a result of risk profiling, and with the assistance of detector dogs Sam, Grace and Ciara, by Revenue officers examining parcels at premises in Dublin, the Midlands and Shannon.
The drugs were detected inside parcels which had originated in the USA, the UK, Canada, Thailand, Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands, and were destined for addresses nationwide.
The remaining 1.3 kg of cocaine, with an estimated value of €92,400, was seized as a result of an intelligence led operation, when Revenue officers stopped and searched a passenger who arrived into Dublin Airport, having disembarked a flight from France.
A man in his 30’s was arrested by An Garda Síochána as a result of this operation and has since appeared before the Courts.
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.