Stun guns and smoke bombs among illegal and counterfeit items seized in past week
Some 13.73kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of almost €260,000 was seized. Cannabis resin, weighing some 6.92kg with an estimated value of more than €38,500, was also seized. Picture: Revenue
Smoke bombs, stun guns, amphetamines, cannabis, Christian Louboutin shoes, and Canada Goose jackets were some of the illegal and counterfeit items seized by the Revenue Commissioners in the past week, worth some €440,000.
Since last Monday, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of more than €439,430 in operations in Dublin, the Midlands, and Rosslare Europort. Risk-profiling and intelligence-led operations resulted in the detections.
Smoke bombs, stun guns, and pepper spray were amongst the 33 weapons seized.
Some 13.73kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of almost €260,000 was seized. Cannabis resin, weighing some 6.92kg with an estimated value of more than €38,500, was also seized.
Various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of more than €6,700, were found.
The drug seizures were made as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dogs Sam, Ciara and Jaspar.
The parcels originated from the US, Netherlands, France, India, Canada, and Britain, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.
Illicit drugs seized included edibles, 3 CMC (a synthetic psychoactive), khat (a North African and Middle Eastern stimulant), reefers, cannabinoid vapes, cannabinoid liquid, synthetic cannabinoids, amphetamine, butane honey oil (a cannabis concentrate), cannabis, hash cakes, and assorted tablets (Alprazalam, Benzodiazepine, Diazepam, Zopiclone).
Tobacco products, with an estimated value of over €39,800, were also seized. It represents a potential loss to the exchequer of almost €2,800.
Marlboro Touch, Rothmans Blue, Winston, Superkings Original Blacks, and Amber Leaf were the brands of tobacco products seized.
Some eight litres of alcohol spirits, with an estimated value of more than €230 and representing a potential loss to the exchequer of €180, were also seized.
The cigarettes and alcohol products were seized in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, and Rosslare Europort.
Some 299 other counterfeit items, with an estimated value of more than €94,200, were also seized by Revenue.
The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the rights holder to have infringed on intellectual property rights.
The counterfeit goods were branded Adidas, Birkenstock, Burberry, Botega, Brooks, Calvin Klein, Canada Goose, Casablanca, Celine, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Louboutin, Coach, Crocs, Essentials, Fear of God, Golden Goose, Gucci, Hermes, Hoka, Hummel, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Lululemon, Moncler, New Balance, Nike, Northface, Omega, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy, and Uggs. €2,000 worth of fake notes were also seized.
These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.
