08-07-2025
Counterfeit GAA jerseys, drugs and tobacco products seized in Revenue operations
Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of more than €300,000 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Sligo, Kilkenny and Rosslare Europort over the past week.
The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and resulted in the seizure of herbal cannabis, cannabis resin, illicit tablets and other drugs, cigarettes and alcohol products, along with hundreds of counterfeit items.
8.1kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of over €162,600 was discovered, with the assistance of detector dogs Enzo and Ciara, whilst Revenue officers were examining parcels at premises in Dublin and the Midlands. The parcels originated from the USA, France, and Spain, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.
Meanwhile cannabis resin with an estimated value of €4,250 was also seized by Revenue officials in recent days.
A Revenue spokesperson also confirmed that various illicit tablets, which consisted of Benzodiazepine, Zopiclone, Diazapem and Zolpidem and had an estimated value of over €4,160, were seized, along with €5,300 worth of various illicit drugs consisting of cannabis oil, edibles, butane honey oil, magic mushrooms, HHC Vapes, 2MMC and edibles.
Over 100 litres of alcohol and 27,320 cigarettes and 2.5kg of tobacco were seized on Thursday in Sligo with the assistance of detector dog Toby.
The alcohol, which has an estimated value of over €3,000 and represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €1,150, consisted of wine, beer and spirits, while the cigarettes were branded Septwolves, L&M, Marlboro Gold, Benson & Hedges, Superkings, Richmond, Minsk Superslims, NZ, and Excellence and the tobacco was branded Amber Leaf.
According to Revenue, the tobacco products have an estimated value of over €39,000, representing a potential loss to the exchequer of over €31,000,
283 counterfeit items with an estimated value of over €83,000 were also seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights.
The counterfeit goods were branded Adidas, Asics, Boss, Breitling, Brooks, Burberry, Calvin Klein, Casa Blanca, Chanel, Cartier, Christian Dior, Crocs, Gucci, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Moncler, MIU MIU, New Balance, Nike, North Face, Omega, O'Neills, Polo, Ralph Lauren, Ray Ban, and Versace
There was also a cash seizure of €4,500 after Revenue officers were granted detention orders on Wednesday in Rosslare Europort in respect of the cash seized by Judge Cheatle in Gorey District Court.
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A Revenue spokesperson said investigations into all seizures are ongoing.
"These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity," the Revenue spokesperson added.
"If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295."
