25million illegal cigarettes found at hidden factory

AN ILLEGAL cigarette factory capable of producing a quarter of a million cigarettes in an hour was discovered yesterday in north Co. Louth.

It was hidden within farm buildings – and it is the first time in the history of the State that such an illicit cigarette manufacturing operation has been uncovered.

In one shed, gardaí found cartons of cigarettes piled ceilinghigh behind hay bales. They also found living quarters for the factory workers, and a roster for work shifts for employees, who were making cigarettes seven days a week.

Gardaí arrested 11 eastern Europeans, including Bulgarians and Romanians, all aged in their late 20s to late 50s.

The area has been the scene of major illegal cigarette finds in the past, mostly linked to republican paramilitary groups. The joint Revenue and Garda operation followed the detection of contraband Mayfair-brand cigarettes in both the UK and Irish markets.

They discovered 25million cigarettes on the farm, along with more than 40 tonnes of tobacco and ‘precursor’ material for making cigarettes, according to a joint Garda and Customs statement.

They also found production and packaging equipment in what was described as a sophisticated operation. The fake blue Mayfair packets even included a government health warning.

Revenue estimates the loss to the Exchequer would have been €12million per year. The machinery is capable of producing 250,000 illegal cigarettes an hour and included pre-processing, processing and packaging facilities.

The factory was in full operation when Revenue officers and members of the Garda Armed Support Unit raided it just before 8am.

‘Officers found more than 40 tonnes of tobacco, all the precurthere sor components for the manufacture of cigarettes, and approximately 25million cigarettes, branded “Mayfair”, ready for distribution,’ Revenue said.

Gardaí stated: ‘This was a sophisticated self-contained operation with machinery capable of producing 250,000 illicit cigarettes per hour and preprocessing, processing and packaging facilities, along with living quarters.’

Investigations are ongoing here in Ireland and internationally.

Gardaí are investigating whether is an Irish link to the cigarette operation. Louth Green Party councillor Mark Deary said the arrested people have been taken to various Garda stations throughout Louth.

Some of the largest illegal cigarette operations in the country have operated from north Louth and have been connected to paramilitaries.

Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan congratulated all those involved in yesterday’s seizure.

‘It demonstrates the benefits of the close working relationship between An Garda Síochána, Revenue, Customs officials and the PSNI in tackling this type of fraudulent activity,’ he said.

‘Over 40 tonnes of tobacco’