Revenue Seizes €4 Million in Contraband Across Week of Operations

Revenue have seized contraband with an estimated street value of over €4 million following a week of operations across Dublin, the Midlands, Cork and Rosslare Europort, commencing 9 March 2026.

The detections were made through a combination of risk profiling and intelligence-led operations, targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity.

The bulk of the haul consisted of tobacco products valued at over €3.7 million, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €2.9 million. The single largest individual seizure came at Dublin Port on 9 March, when officers, assisted by detector dog Milo and Revenue's mobile X-ray scanner, discovered over four million cigarettes in a trailer that had arrived from Rotterdam. The cigarettes were branded Richmond King Size and Lambert & Butler Original.

Tobacco brands identified across all seizures included Terea, Camel, Neafs, Hookah, Kent Core, Vogue Bleue, Pall Mall, Amber Leaf and Silk Cut Blue.

Counterfeit goods also featured prominently. Seventy items with an estimated value of over €172,800 were seized after being confirmed by rights holders to have infringed intellectual property rights. Brands affected included Gucci, Nike, New Era, Christian Dior, Asics, Coco Chanel, Hermès and Louis Vuitton.

Drug seizures formed a further significant part of the week's activity. Officers, assisted by detector dogs Sam and Ciara, seized 3.6kg of herbal cannabis valued at over €72,900, along with 338g of butane honey oil (€6,830), 38g of heroin (€5,280), and various other illicit drugs valued at over €12,310. The parcels originated from the USA, France, the United Kingdom and Canada, and were destined for addresses nationwide.

The drugs seized included cannabinoid vape liquids, cannabis resin, cocaine, crack cocaine, edibles, ketamine, khat, LSD, reefers, synthetic cannabinoids, and various tablets including Benzodiazepine, Zopiclone, Tapentadol and Zolpidem.

Officers also seized over 2,120 litres of alcohol valued at over €22,700, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €12,200.

Investigations into all seizures are ongoing.

Revenue has urged anyone with information on smuggling activity to make contact in confidence on 1800 295 295.