Drugs and contraband worth almost €570k seized in Dublin, Rosslare and Waterford

The seizures comprised of cocaine, cannabis and other illicit drugs as well as cigarettes, tobacco and counterfeit goods

The seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity.

Revenue have seized contraband worth almost €570,000 in Dublin, the Midlands, Rosslare and Waterford in various operations in recent days. 

The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence-led operations.

They seized almost 3kg of cocaine, with an estimated value of over €205,000, over 14kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €280,500, 2.5kg of cannabis resin, with an estimated value of €14,800, various other illicit drugs, with an estimated value of €2,600, tobacco products with an estimated value of over €19,500, and 395 counterfeit items, with an estimated value of almost €40,000.

"The cocaine was seized, as part of an intelligence-led operation in Dublin Airport, when Revenue officers searched three passengers and their baggage after they disembarked a flight from Paris, France. The passengers, two males in their 30s and a woman in her 20s, were arrested and have since appeared before the courts," said a spokesperson for Revenue.

The herbal cannabis and other illicit drugs were discovered while Revenue officers, with the assistance of detector dogs Ciara, Grace and Sam, were examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands.

The parcels originated in the USA, the UK, Canada, Thailand, France, Spain, Italy, Croatia and the Netherlands, and were destined for addresses nationwide.

Over 19,700 cigarettes, with a value of approximately €17,800 and almost 2kg of rolling tobacco, with a value of €1,715 were seized in separate operations in Kilkenny, Waterford and the Midlands.

"The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the rights holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights," they added.

Over 164 litres of alcohol, with a retail value of €4,200 were also seized in Rosslare Europort and the Midlands, as well as numerous weapons which were also seized in operations across the country.

Investigations into all seizures are ongoing.

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.