Revenue officers have seized 200 fake Labubu dolls as part of extensive operations across Dublin, the Midlands and Rosslare Europort that netted contraband worth over €289,000 last week.
The counterfeit plushies, valued at €4,000, were among a significant haul of illegal goods that included drugs, untaxed alcohol and tobacco, and other fake merchandise. The furry dolls with distinctive wide grins, designed by Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lunch in 2015, have experienced a surge in popularity over the past year, making them attractive targets for counterfeiters.
The operations, conducted using risk profiling and intelligence-led targeting with assistance from detector dogs Ciara and Enzo, uncovered substantial quantities of illegal substances. Officers seized 6.16kg of herbal cannabis worth €123,840, 3.57kg of cannabis resin valued at over €20,350, and various illicit tablets and drugs totaling more than €13,000.
Revenue also intercepted over 125 litres of alcohol worth €1,580, representing a potential exchequer loss of €1,245, and tobacco products valued at almost €5,000 with a tax loss exceeding €3,540. An additional 353 counterfeit items were seized with an estimated value of over €121,000, along with four weapons and pellets.
Drug parcels originated from the USA, UK, and Canada, destined for addresses nationwide, while cigarettes and alcohol were intercepted at various locations. The counterfeit goods, including the Labubu dolls, were confirmed by rights holders to infringe on intellectual property rights.
Revenue continues investigating all seizures and encourages anyone with smuggling information to contact them confidentially at 1800 295 295.