The Minister for Finance has congratulated gardaí and Customs Officers after they seized €14 million worth of tobacco at Drogheda Port in Co. Louth.
The haul of 32 million cigarettes and 4,500 kilos of pipe tobacco is the largest in Europe so far this year. The successful raid was designed to target an organised crime network led by British and Irish people working in Europe.
Michael Noonan said "This intelligence-led seizure represents a significant potential loss to the Exchequer and is a significant blow to the criminals involved in this illicit trade. This is the largest seizure of cigarettes in Europe to date this year".
Some of the tobacco seized
The cigarettes were loaded on a cargo ship in Slovenia that sailed to Drogheda via Lisbon. The ship - the MV Shingle - has also been seized.
Revenue says it is a significant blow in the fight against those involved in the illicit market of tobacco smuggling.
The Customs ship that took part in the operation
Revenue Commissioner Liam Irwin said "This seizure...is the culmination of months of dedicated work and international cooperation involving Revenue authorities and law enforcement agencies across several jurisdictions, including Slovenia, Portugal and Ireland".
Follow-up searches are underway both in Ireland and abroad.
If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800-295-295.
