Dogs, Cash & Cigarettes Seized In Revenue Operations

Revenue officers seized two dogs, a quantity of cash and thousands of unstamped cigarettes during separate operations across the country on Tuesday 05 November.

Routine profiling led to the discovery of over €27,000 in the luggage of an Irish national travelling from Shannon to Malaga.

The woman, aged in her 30's, was travelling with checked-in luggage that contained the two bundles of cash contained as a Christmas present.

Judge Patrick Durkin at Ennis District Court later granted a three-month Cash Detention Order on Wednesday 06.

Also on Tuesday, as a result of routine profiling, officers seized approximately 39,000 unstamped cigarettes when they stopped and searched a passenger's checked-in luggage on arrival in Dublin Airport off a flight from Abuja, Nigeria. The 'Benson & Hedges' branded cigarettes have an estimated retail value of approximately €24,900, representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €16,600.

A female in her 40s, a Nigerian national, was interviewed in relation to the seizure. Investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile on the same day, officers at Dublin Port seized two dogs when they stopped and questioned a man and a woman who were travelling to the UK. The dogs, who did not have pet passports as required under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, were discovered in the boot of the car. The dogs, thought to be Chihuahuas, were transferred into the care of the DSPCA, who are conducting a follow up investigation. Revenue collaborates closely with the DSPCA and other bodies to combat illegal dog trading.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting smuggling and the shadow economy. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding the smuggling they can contact Revenue confidential freephone number 1800 295 295.



(JG/CM)