Revenue seize sword umbrella and ninja weapons at mail centre

One of the weapons seized at the Midlands Mail Centre is described as a 'sword umbrella'. File picture

Revenue officers have seized Ninja swords, a machete-like Nepalese knife, switchblade knives and a “sword umbrella” during examinations of parcels over the past week.

The collection of potentially deadly weapons were identified and confiscated in checks in the Midlands Mail Centre.

One of the weapons is described as a “sword umbrella”, which may sound like something from a KGB spy novel, but is very real. They look, and can fold out, like an umbrella. But if the handle is pulled out it can be used as a bladed weapon.

Also seized in just the past week were a couple of Japanese Ninja swords, with the characteristic curved blade.

In addition, a 'Kukri' knife was uncovered in a package. It is a machete-type weapon, known as a ritual blade from Nepal.

On top of these weapons, Revenue officers also confiscated foldaway switchblade knives as well as smoke bombs and fireworks.

All these items were found in parcels at the Midlands Mail Centre during which staff, assisted by detector dogs, recovered packages of various drugs and counterfeit items.

Along with similar operations at the Dublin Mail Centres, officers found a total of 5.4kg of cannabis herb, 5,200 street tablets, €42,750 in cash and a total of 561 counterfeit items, with an estimated street value of €178,000.

The parcels originated from France, India, the Netherlands and the UK, and were destined for addresses nationwide.