Customs foil €11m cigarette smuggling bid

CUSTOMS have foiled a huge smuggling operation after seizing €11 million of cigarettes packed in containers — the second largest seizure of its kind in the state.

Law enforcement officials from four countries tracked the illegal contraband for several weeks, which was destined for gangs working on both sides of the border.

Smugglers had loaded the 30 million cigarettes in containers aboard a vessel at Singapore on April 22. The cigarettes, including Palace and Silk Cut brands, with an estimated street value of €11m, were concealed in four 12m containers.