Philippines next stop for customs investigation into massive haul

CUSTOMS officials are flying out to the Philippines in the coming days as part of a massive investigation into the smuggling of 120 million cigarettes into Ireland.

Meanwhile, gardaí are investigating the background and associations of seven Irish people arrested following the haul. Detectives are trying to identify the “brains” behind the mammoth operation.

It emerged yesterday that customs seized €30,000 in cash under the Proceeds of Crime legislation during their searches of four premises in Co Louth on Tuesday.