Revenue seize 2.7 million cigarettes at Rosslare Europort
Yesterday evening (15/02/2021), as a result of routine profiling, Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized approximately 2.7 million cigarettes. The cigarettes, branded ‘L&M’, have a retail value of over €1.8 million representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €1.4 million.
The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a polish registered articulated lorry and its accompanying trailer that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner and Detector Dog Gus, led to the discovery of the cigarettes concealed within the load.
A polish national in his 40’s was questioned.
Investigations are ongoing.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal cigarettes and follows the seizure of 3 million cigarettes at Rosslare Europort earlier in the day. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
[ENDS 16/02/2021]