Revenue Seizes €325,750 Worth of Contraband in Week-Long Operation

Revenue have seized contraband worth an estimated €325,750 during a week of intensive operations across Dublin, the Midlands, Dublin Airport and Rosslare Europort, with many of the illegal items destined for addresses throughout Ireland.

The seizures, which took place between 28 July and 5 August 2025, resulted from intelligence-led operations and risk profiling. They included significant quantities of drugs, counterfeit goods, untaxed alcohol and tobacco products, and even an airsoft gun.

The largest single category was herbal cannabis, with 7.5kg seized worth approximately €148,900. Officers also discovered 1,100 LSD tablets valued at €11,000, alongside various other illicit drugs worth nearly €16,860. These substances included 4-Methylethcathinone, Butane Honey Oil, cannabis oil, cannabis resin, cocaine, edibles, Alprazolam, benzodiazepine Diazepam and Zopiclone.

Detector dogs Ciara and Enzo played a crucial role in uncovering the drugs during examinations of parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands, as well as at Rosslare Europort. The parcels had originated from the USA, Thailand, Canada, the Netherlands and the UK, and were intended for various addresses nationwide.

Revenue officers also seized 466 counterfeit items worth over €138,975. The fake goods bore the branding of major labels including Adidas, Asics, Burberry, Casablanca, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Dior, Coach, Crocs, Fear of God, Gucci, Hermes, Hoka, Lacoste, Longchamp, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, Mulberry, New Balance, Nike, North Face, O'Neills, Panerai, Polo, Puma, Stone Island, Umbro, Under Armour and Yves Saint Laurent. Rights holders confirmed these items infringed on intellectual property rights.

The operation netted over 349 litres of alcohol, including wine, beer and spirits, valued at more than €3,520. This represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of €2,860. Tobacco products worth over €5,970 were also seized, representing a further €4,630 in lost tax revenue. The cigarettes included brands such as Benson & Hedges Gold, Wilson, Winston, Mehari's, L&M red, L&M blue, Marlboro red, Fast, Rothmans Blue, Marlboro Touch, Rothmans Demi Silver, John Player and Kent.

In an unusual discovery, officers also seized an airsoft gun valued at €500, highlighting the diverse nature of smuggling attempts through Irish ports and postal systems.

The cigarettes and alcohol products were seized in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Kilkenny and Rosslare Europort.

A Revenue spokesperson confirmed that investigations into all seizures are ongoing. These operations form part of Revenue's continued efforts to target smuggling and shadow economy activity across the country.

Members of the public who have information about smuggling activities can contact Revenue confidentially on 1800 295 295.

The seizures underscore the ongoing challenge authorities face in preventing illegal goods from entering Ireland through various channels, with sophisticated smuggling operations attempting to exploit postal and freight systems to distribute contraband nationwide.