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Over the course of this week, Revenue officers seized contraband worth almost €500,000 during the course of numerous operations in Dublin and Galway.

Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin seized contraband worth over €420,000 as a result of risk profiling. This comprised:

• almost 20 kgs of herbal cannabis and butane honey oil with an estimated value of €405,000, which was discovered in parcels originating from the USA and Thailand and which were destined for various addresses nationwide, and
• a quantity of retail goods, with an estimated value of over €15,000, due to infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.

Separately, and as part of an intelligence-led operation with the assistance of detector dog Toby, Revenue officers seized 52,960 cigarettes with an estimated value of €44,300, following the search, under warrant, of two premises in Galway. The illicit cigarettes of various brands represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €34,900. A man has been questioned into relation to this seizure.

Finally, as part of risk profiling, Revenue officers seized approximately 5.3 kgs of cannabis resin with an estimated value of €31,800 at Dublin Airport. The illicit drugs were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched the baggage of a passenger who had disembarked a flight from Lisbon. A man in his 50s was arrested by An Garda Síochána before being charged. He is now before the courts.

Investigations into all of these 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.

The seized retail goods (worth over €15,000) consisted of:

• 8 x pairs of New Balance runners.
• 1 x Dior handbag, 1 x Mulberry handbag, 1 x Louis Vuitton tote bag, 2 x Louise Vuitton overnight bags, 1 x Louis Vuitton clutch, 1 x Louis Vuitton purse.
• 2 x Dior sunglasses, 1 x Yves Saint Laurent sunglasses, 2 x Chanel Sunglasses.
• 1 x Yves Saint Laurent card holder.
• 19 x Nike sports suits, 15 x Nike t-shirts, 15 x Nike shorts.