Revenue officers seized 4.3 million cigarettes at Rosslare Europort on Saturday. The cigarettes branded ‘Marine Blue’ and ‘Marine Green’ have an estimated retail value of €3.2 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €2.5 million.
The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Dutch registered truck that had disembarked a ferry from Cherbourg, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the illegal cigarettes.
A Bulgarian national in his 40’s was questioned.
Investigations are ongoing.
This seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295.