More than 23,000 cigarettes and 6kg of tobacco seized following search at Cork Airport 

Revenue officers seized more than 23,000 cigarettes at Cork Airport following a search of passenger bags arriving on a flight from the Canary Islands. 

The seizure was one of a number of operations carried out by Revenue officers in recent days with contraband worth over €64,000 seized in Cork and Clare. 

In a statement, Revenue said that as a result of risk profiling, officers seized 23,400 cigarettes and 6kgs of tobacco at Cork Airport last Thursday. 

The cigarettes and tobacco, branded ‘John Player Blue’ and ‘Amber Leaf’, have an estimated retail value of over €24,500 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €19,000.

Revenue said that yesterday, also as a result of risk profiling, officers based at Shannon Airport seized 1kg of herbal cannabis.

The illicit drugs, with an estimated value of €20,000, were discovered in parcels originating from the USA and were destined for an address in Co. Cork.

Separately, on Sunday, as a result of an intelligence-led operation, Revenue officers based at Shannon Airport seized 26,000 cigarettes during a search of a ship at Foynes Port, Co. Limerick. 

The cigarettes, branded ‘L & M’, have a retail value of €20,000 and represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €16,000.

Investigations into all of these seizures are ongoing.

A spokesperson said: "These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295."