Huge haul of illegal cigarettes and tobacco discovered in Offaly

Over 50,000 illegal cigarettes and 1.1kg of tobacco has been seized by Revenue in Offaly. 

As part of a separate intelligence-led operation with the support of gardai, Revenue officers seized 50,420 cigarettes and 1.1 kgs of tobacco during a search, under warrant, of a premises in Offaly.

The illicit cigarettes, of various brands, and tobacco have a combined retail value of over €43,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €33,900.

A vehicle and €4,000 in cash were also recovered during the course of this operation, and Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court.

It is suspected that the cash seized in the operation is the proceeds of, or intended for use in, criminal activity, and is detained by Revenue in accordance with proceeds of crime legislation.

Investigations into all of these seizures are ongoing.

The seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products.

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.