Over €8 million worth of tobacco products, including nine million cigarettes, were seized by Revenue at Rosslare Europort, as part of one of many targeted operations in the last week.
Since 23 February, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of over €8.2 million in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, and Rosslare Europort.
The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations.
Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €8.1 million and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €6.4 million were seized as part of one operation.
This included nine million cigarettes detected at Rosslare Europort on 1 March.
The cigarettes, branded 'Richmond King Size', have a retail value of over €8 million representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €6.4 million.
The contraband was uncovered during an examination of an accompanied freight unit which had disembarked a ferry from Dunkerque, France.
The truck and trailer were also seized. A man in his 40s was questioned in relation to the seizure.
Revenue said investigations into the seizure are ongoing.
Also seized during operations were 1.6kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €32,000, 2.4kg of cannabis resin, with an estimated value of over €14,300 and 7kg of edibles, with an estimated value of over €7,000.
Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €3,900, were also seized.
The herbal cannabis and illicit drugs seizures were made as a result of risk profiling with the assistance of detector dogs Sam and Ciara. The parcels originated from the US, the UK, Canada and France, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.
While over 57 litres of alcohol, with an estimated value of over €470 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €280 was also discovered.
A total of 43 counterfeit items with an estimated value of over €51,100 were also seized.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the rights holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. Some 470 weapons accessories were also seized.
"Investigations into all seizures are ongoing," a Revenue spokesperson said.
The seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and the shadow economy activity.
Revenue said "if businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295".
