Revenue officers seized drugs, cigarettes and tobacco worth almost €800,000 in Dublin and Athlone since this Monday, May 22.
As a result of routine operations earlier this week and with the assistance of detector dogs Bailey and Sam, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Dublin seized 180 packages of drugs worth an estimated €541,000. The drugs consisted of varying quantities of herbal cannabis, cannabis oil, cannabis-infused edibles, butane honey oil, cannabis resin and some prescription medications.
A Revenue spokesman has said: "The illegal drugs were discovered in parcels originating in the USA, Canada, Spain, India and the UK and were destined for addresses nationwide. The parcels had been declared as, ‘bedding’; ‘candy’; ‘toys’; ‘cosmetics’ and ‘clothing’."
Read more: Revenue seize over 3 million cigarettes at Dublin Port concealed as 'orange juice' in truck
Also in Dublin this week, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises seized over 312kgs of tobacco and over 11,500 cigarettes. The illicit tobacco had an estimated value of approximately €55,500, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €180,000.
The tobacco originated in Cyprus and was destined for an address in Dublin. The illegal cigarettes had an estimated value of nearly €2,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €7,000. The cigarettes were discovered in a parcel which had originated in Kazakhstan and were destined for an address in Dublin.
On Wednesday, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Athlone seized drugs with an estimated value in excess of €167,000. The illicit drugs, comprising quantities of herbal cannabis, ketamine, ecstasy and cannabis resin were discovered in parcels originating from the Netherlands and were destined for addresses in Kildare and Dublin.
The Revenue spokesman has said investigations into all of these seizures are ongoing. He added: "These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling, shadow economy activity and the supply of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding drug smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on phone number 1800 295 295."
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