100,000 smuggled cigarettes have been seized at Dublin Airport in boxes claiming to contain "medical equipment" and "bed linen".
The massive seizure took place after Revenue officers intercepted the boxes from flights coming in from Germany, Lithuania, and Italy.
The contraband ciggies, brand "Minsk Capital" and "NZ", have an estimated value of over €68,000.
The full Revenue statement read: "Yesterday (23/6/2021), as a result of routine profiling, Revenue officers seized almost 100,000 cigarettes at Dublin Airport. The smuggled cigarettes branded ‘Minsk Capital’ and ‘NZ’ were discovered in air cargo consignments that had arrived into the State from Germany, Italy and Lithuania.
"The cigarettes were discovered concealed in items described as ‘meteorological equipment’, ‘medical equipment’ and ‘bed linen’ and have a combined estimated retail value of €68,530, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €54,579. The consignments were destined for delivery to Counties Offaly and Meath.
"Investigations are ongoing.
"These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply and sale of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295."
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