Revenue seize €25,000 contraband cash in Laois swoop

The Revenue office has announced the seizure of contraband worth almost €357,000 in various operations over the past week, including one in Laois.

In the week starting on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, Revenue officers seized contraband with an estimated value of €356,595 in various operations in Dublin, the Midlands, Wexford, Kilkenny and Laois.

On Wednesday, May 7 Revenue officers seized €24,895 in cash during a search of property in Co. Laois.

They had confirmed last Monday, May 12 to the Leinster Express / Laois Live that an operation tackling the shadow economy had taken place on the day. Read that statement here.

A Detention Order for the cash was subsequently granted by Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court on Friday, May 9.

Revenue state that:

"The detections were made as a result of risk profiling and intelligence led operations, and included 9.8kg of herbal cannabis, with an estimated value of over €196,000. 2.7kg of edibles, with an estimated value of over €2,700. 5,110 zopiclone tablets, with an estimated value of over €10,200.

"Tobacco products with an estimated value of €23,800, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €18,900.

"Alcohol products with an estimated value of over €1,600, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €1,100, and 329 counterfeit items, with an estimated value of over €97,400," a statement said.

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

The parcels originated from India, the USA, Thailand, the UK, Poland, Spain and Portugal, and were destined for various addresses nationwide.

The counterfeit goods were seized as they were confirmed by the Rights Holder to have infringed on Intellectual Property Rights.

"The tobacco and alcohol products were seized in various operations in the Midlands, Rosslare and Kilkenny, as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dogs Molly and Jasper. Eighteen weapons were also seized in the Midlands.

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"Investigations into all seizures are ongoing," Revenue state.

They appeal for anyone with information to contact them.

"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."