Revenue Officers have seized tobacco products, alcohol and two cars in Skibbereen today (Saturday February 4th).

Revenue Officers carried out a search today under warrant and assisted by detector dog Harvey, seized approximately 65,000 unstamped cigarettes, 7.5kg of unstamped tobacco, 57 litres of vodka and a car.

The contraband cigarettes are branded ‘Marlboro Gold’ and ‘NZ Superslim Gold’ and the tobacco is branded “Amber Leaf” and “Drum”. The vodka is branded Hlibniy Dar, which is of Ukranian origin.

The tobacco products have a retail value in excess of €40,000, representing a loss to the Exchequer of approximately €32,000. A second car was detained, for possible evasion of VRT.

A Lithuanian man in his 40s was questioned and investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution.

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

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