Dog unit sniffs out €6.28m in illicit goods

Smugglers and drug mules beware — the State’s 13-strong canine unit has upped its game considerably this year to already sniff out over €6.2m worth of illicit drugs, cigarettes, and cash.

Figures released by Revenue show that in the eight months to the end of August, the Canine Unit — headed by Rosslare-based sniffer dog Ralph — has already sniffed out almost four times the amount of illicit items seized throughout the whole of 2012.

In response to a freedom of information request, Revenue figures show that seizures to the end of August total €6.28m — this compares to a total of €1.69m for 2012 and €1.54m for 2011.