Tag Archives: Customs

REVENUE seized approximately 75kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of over €5 million, near Liscannor yesterday. The drugs were discovered with assistance from the general public through the Customs Drugs Watch Programme. Acting on a report from a member of the public, Revenue Customs officers from the South West region discovered a suspicious item on the shore near the North Clare fishing village, between Lahinch and the Cliffs of Moher. The “torpedo type” device was found to contain approximately 75kg of cocaine. The concealment may have been attached below the waterline of a cargo ship or other maritime vessel; however, it is not possible at this stage to say either where the drugs originated, or their intended destination. The public are asked not to put themselves in danger by approaching or interfering with suspicious items such as this. The Customs’ Drugs Watch Programme encourages those living in coastal communities, maritime personnel and people living near airfields to report …

Officers from Revenue’s Customs Service seized a quantity of offensive weapons following a search, under warrant, of a private residence near Kilmihil today (Tuesday). The operation was conducted following an investigation into the attempted importation of a number of stun guns through the postal system. The weapons seized included stun guns, nunchucks, knuckle dusters, extendable batons, a flick knife and an air pistol. Members of An Garda Síochána assisted with the operation and investigations are ongoing.

In an intelligence-led operation this morning (Monday) officers from Revenue’s Customs Service seized 30,060 cigarettes with a retail value of approximately €15,000 and a car in Ennis. The cigarettes were seized following the execution of search warrants at a private house and a business premises in Ennis. Revenue’s tobacco detector dog Harvey gave a positive reaction to packages and boxes found to contain cigarettes. Brands seized include West, Winston Slims, Rothmans Slims and Marlboro. A Russian man in his thirties was questioned by officers from Revenue’s Customs Service and the investigation is ongoing with a view to prosecution. Members of An Garda Síochána also assisted with this operation. This seizure is part of Revenue’s on-going operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal cigarettes in the shadow economy. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 …

THE Freight Transport Association of Ireland (FTA Ireland), has welcomed the announcement by the UK and Ireland governments that they are to introduce a marker that will help tackle fuel fraud. This has to be good news to help reduce fuel laundering,” the organisation general manager, Neil McDonnell said. The product will be used to mark rebated fuels, including the off-road diesel commonly known in the UK as ‘red diesel’, in a move that will boost both countries’ fight against illegal fuel laundering. The marker will help HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Irish Revenue Commissioners tackle the criminal market in off-road diesel, marked with a red dye in the UK and green in Ireland, and also kerosene primarily used for heating oil. Neil McDonnell commented, “FTA welcomes any effort such as this to tackle fuel laundering. The costs of fuel laundering to the exchequer, to fair competition, to the environment are simply too high, and are not being …

IN an intelligence-led operation in Limerick, officers from Revenue’s Customs Service, assisted by gardaí, earlier today seized 100,000 cigarettes with a retail value of €47,000 and a potential loss to the Exchequer of €37,000. The “Jing Ling” and “Golden Seagiies” cigarettes were discovered in unmarked brown boxes when a Ford Transit van was stopped on the Limerick/Tipperary border near Castleconnell. The van was also seized. The male driver, a non-Irish national in his 30s, was arrested and taken for questioning at Nenagh Garda Station.   I

As part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal cigarettes, officers from Revenue’s Customs Service at Shannon Airport on Wednesday seized 70,000 cigarettes with a retail value of €33,600 and a potential loss to the exchequer of €28,500. The “Sept Wolves” cigarettes were concealed in a consignment of airfreight which had arrived into Shannon from China. Investigations are ongoing. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295