Thousands of euro in illegal cigarettes seized in Midlands
Illicit tobacco and ciageretes seized in Offaly
REVENUE officers seized 34,160 cigarettes and 2.4 kgs of tobacco following searches, under warrant, of two premises in Offaly.
The illicit tobacco products, branded Marlboro, Winston, Rothmans, and Gold Virginia, have an estimated retail value of over €32,900, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €25,900.
Investigations are ongoing.
Revenue say the seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products.
The Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe told the Dáil in May 2025 gave figures on seizures nationally.
"In 2024, Revenue had 4,920 seizures of cigarettes valued at €95.6 million and 1,500 seizures of tobacco with an estimated value of €32.6m. To the end of April 2025, Revenue had 1,731 seizures of cigarettes valued at €13.9m and 529 seizures of tobacco valued at €12.7m," he said.
He added that there were 49 prosecutions in 2024 and 16 to end April this year.
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.