Revenue seize €36,100 of illegal cigarettes at South Kilkenny port
REVENUE officers uncovered evidence of an international smuggling operation after they seized €36,100 worth of illegal cigarettes from a ship at Bellview Port in South Kilkenny.
The haul was found during a search of the ship, which arrived at the port this week. The vessel arrived into Irish waters from Ceuta, a Spanish enclave on the northern tip of Africa.
Revenue officers found over 58,000 cigarettes and over one kilo of pipe tobacco during a search of the vessel.
Revenue confirmed a Syrian national was questioned in relation to the seizure.
The seizure is part of an ongoing Revenue operation targeting the sale of illegal tobacco products.
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Revenue officers seized over 58,000 cigarettes and 1.45kg of pipe tobacco during a search of a cargo vessel, registered in Panama, which had arrived into Belview Port from Ceuta, Spain.
“The tobacco products, including brands such as ‘L&M’, ‘ASOS’ and ‘NAKHLA’, have an estimated retail value of over €35,100 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €27,700.”
The spokesperson added: “A Syrian male in his 30’s was questioned in relation to the seizure. This seizure was 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.”
