Revenue officers have seized smuggled cigarettes worth more than €880,000 in Louth and Cork.
In an intelligence led operation on Friday afternoon, officers seized 1.6 million smuggled cigarettes when they stopped a truck near the M1 motorway in Co Louth.
It is thought the smuggled cigarettes, branded "Richman Royal", may have originated in Dubai.
They were concealed in a number of crates said to contain "book covers".
Image: Revenue
The cigarettes have a retail value of almost €880,000 - representing a potential loss to the exchequer of more than €700,000.
While in a separate operation in the Douglas area of Cork city, Revenue officers seized 6,500 of unstamped 'Benson and Hedges' cigarettes.
A 4x4 vehicle and €1,090 in cash was also seized.
A Nigerian man aged in his 20s was questioned, and a prosecution file is being prepared.
The value of these illegal cigarettes is €3,900 - with an estimated loss to the exchequer of €3,100.
