By Dan Walsh
Revenue officers at Rosslare Europort seized approximately 13,400 cigarettes and 830 grams of tobacco following the search of a Czech registered van at the Wexford port yesterday (Monday).
The illicit cigarettes branded ‘Benson & Hedges Option’, ‘Rothmans’, ‘L&M Red’, ‘L&M Blue’ and tobacco branded ‘Drum’, have an estimated retail value of over €10,000, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €7,932.
The illegal cigarettes were discovered when Revenue officers stopped and searched a Czech registered van that had disembarked a ferry from Dunkirk, France. The search, which was carried out with the assistance of Revenue’s mobile x-ray scanner, led to the discovery of the cigarettes concealed within the load.
A Czech national in his 40’s was questioned. Investigations are ongoing.
The seizure is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and the shadow economy. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295.
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