Largest-ever smuggled tobacco seizure in Dundalk

Customs officers backed up by armed gardai have seized the largest-ever amount of smuggled cigarettes in the history of the State.

80 million cigarettes worth £16m have been found on a boat which arrived in Dundalk earlier this morning.

The haul was found following an ongoing surveillance and tracking operation by international agencies. It is understood the vessel left Gibraltar on December 1.

It docked in Dundalk just a few hours ago, and customs officers and gardai swooped immediately.