Illegal cigarette shipment headed for Donegal found in jigsaw puzzles at Dublin Port

Illegal cigarettes and tobacco, worth a total of €206,600, which was bound for Donegal was found in a consignment of jigsaw puzzles at Dublin Port.

Revenue officers seized 210kgs of tobacco and 40,000 illegal cigarettes with the assistance of detector dog Waffle.

The discovery was made in a consignment of jigsaw puzzles which had originated from Poland and which was intended for an address in Donegal.

The goods were part of an overall seizure of contraband valued at approximately €826,600 during the course of numerous operations at Dublin Port.

Officers seized 210 kgs of tobacco, branded ‘Virginia', with an estimated value of €173,100, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €130,000, and 40,000 cigarettes, branded ‘John Player’, with an estimated value of €33,500, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €26,300.

A quantity of herbal cannabis was also seized with the assistance of detector dog Milo, found in parcels destined for an address in Carlow.

“Investigations into all of these seizures are ongoing,” a Revenue spokesperson said.

“These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs and the sale and 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.”