Revenue Seizes €93,000 Worth of Beer at Dublin Port

Revenue officers have intercepted over 23,000 litres of illegal beer worth €93,235 at Dublin Port today, in a seizure that highlights ongoing efforts to combat alcohol smuggling operations that could be supplying venues nationwide.

The massive haul of 23,382 litres of beer was discovered in an unaccompanied container that had arrived from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The seizure, made as a result of risk profiling by Revenue officials, represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €43,665 in unpaid duties.

While the illegal consignment was seized at Dublin Port, such large-scale smuggling operations typically involve distribution networks that extend across the country, potentially supplying unlicensed traders and venues from Dublin to Cork and beyond.

The discovery underscores the scale of shadow economy activity in the alcohol trade, where smuggled products undercut legitimate businesses who pay proper duties and taxes. For context, 23,382 litres equals approximately 41,000 pints of beer, enough to stock a busy pub for several months.

Revenue officials confirmed that investigations are ongoing following Friday's seizure. The sophisticated nature of the operation, using unaccompanied freight containers, suggests organised smuggling rather than small-scale activity.

Members of the public or businesses with information about smuggling or shadow economy activity can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295. Such tip-offs play a crucial role in helping authorities intercept illegal shipments before they reach the market.

This latest seizure forms part of Revenue's continued crackdown on smuggling operations that damage legitimate businesses and deprive public services of vital tax revenue.