Revenue Officers Seize Over €8.2m Of Contraband

The bulk of the contraband consists of nine million cigarettes estimated at around €8.1 million.

 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, and included the following:

• 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,
• 7kg of edibles, with an estimated value of over €7,000,
• Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of over €3,900,
• Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €8.1 million and representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €6.4 million,
• Over 57 litres of alcohol with an estimated value of over €470.00 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €280.00 and
• 43 counterfeit items with an estimated value of over €51,100.

Included in the seized tobacco products were approximately nine million cigarettes detected at Rosslare Europort on 01/03/2026. 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. Investigations are ongoing. 

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.

The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights. Four hundred and seventy weapons accessories were also seized.

The alcohol consisted of wine, beer, and spirits.

The tobacco products were branded Fumari Sign Tangelo Hookah, Tangiers Hookah, Erinome, L&M, Golden Gate & Winston, Terea, Red Bull Virginia, Old Holborn, Hookah, Silk Cut Purple, Richmond King Size.

The various illicit drugs consisted of heroin, reefers, cannabis oil, assorted tablets, cannabinoid vape liquids. 

The four hundred and seventy weapons accessories consisted of Skull Burst TXP 708, Rakiety Rockets Diablo, Aplauz Rakiety Rockets, Dum Bum Rockets, Micro Dum Bum, Bull Dogs, Mnusak 20MM, Butterfly Knife, Flares, Strobo Fireworks.