Revenue Seizes Over €262,500 in Contraband During Week-Long Operation

Revenue officers intercepted a significant haul of illegal goods worth over €262,500 during coordinated operations across Dublin, the Midlands, and Rosslare Europort in the week beginning 25 August 2025, dealing a substantial blow to smuggling networks.

The seizures, resulting from intelligence-led operations and risk profiling, included nearly 4kg of cannabis, over 250g of cocaine, hundreds of litres of alcohol, tobacco products worth almost €40,000, and 321 counterfeit designer items.

Revenue's detector dogs Sam and Ciara assisted with drug seizures, while dogs Ciara, Sam, and Jaspar helped with the broader enforcement operations. The contraband arrived in parcels from the USA, Thailand, Canada, and the UK destined for various addresses nationwide.

The operation's centrepiece occurred on 27 August when Revenue officers, working with An Garda Síochána, executed a warrant search at Dublin premises. The raid yielded almost 24,000 cigarettes and 12.5kg of tobacco, including brands Superkings, Excellence, Richmond, Mayfair, and Flandria, with an estimated retail value exceeding €32,000.

The tobacco seizure alone represents approximately €25,000 in lost exchequer revenue, highlighting the significant financial impact of the illegal trade on public finances. A vehicle was also seized during this operation.

The 3.72kg of herbal cannabis, valued at nearly €68,000, was seized alongside various other illegal substances including butane honey oil, cannabis oil, edibles, reefers, various tablets, nitrous oxide, cannabinoid vapes, and HHCP liquid. The cocaine haul exceeded 250g with an estimated value of over €17,000.

The counterfeit goods operation targeted luxury brand imitations, with officers seizing fake items bearing the names of Adidas, Asics, Birkenstock, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Cartier, Casablanca, Celine, Chanel, Christian Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, New Balance, On Cloud, Nike, Northface, Omega, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy, and Uggs. These 321 items carried an estimated value of over €124,600.

Alcohol seizures included over 778 litres of wine, beer, and spirits worth more than €9,400, with the state losing almost €5,200 in potential tax revenue.

Officers also discovered a stun gun during the operations, adding a weapons seizure to the week's enforcement activities.

All seizures remain under investigation, with Revenue encouraging anyone with information about smuggling activities to contact them confidentially on 1800 295 295.