€8.2m worth of illegal cigarettes seized

Revenue officers have seized 10.4 million cigarettes in County Monaghan, worth an estimated €8.2 million.

The seizure, carried out June 9, represents a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €6.4 million.

The raid by customs officers last week came about as a result of “routine profiling”.

The cigarettes, branded ‘Gold Mount’, were confiscated as part of Revenue’s “ongoing operations targeting smuggling, shadow economy activity and the supply of illegal tobacco products.”

In a statement, Revenue said: “Investigations are ongoing.”

Back in March. An intelligence led operation resulted in the seizure of 60,000 cigarettes following the search of a vehicle in Drogheda. Branded Minsk, they had an estimated value of €47,000. Two men were arrested.