ILLEGAL TOBACCO TRADE HIT
CROSS BORDER SEARCHES LEAD TO SEIZURES
A major cross border operation aimed at the illegal cigarette trade saw huge sums of cash and tobacco products seized in north Louth over the last week.
Three men were also arrested just north of the border as part of the operation.
Revenue Commissioners along with An Garda Síochána carried out a number of searches in the area of Carlingford.
Almost €100,000 euros in cash was found at two residential properties in the Carlingford area, with the assistance of Revenue’s cash detector dog Bill. 1,910 kilograms of HRT was seized worth approximately €1.2 million, representing a loss to the Exchequer of almost €947,500.
A further 2.5 tonnes of raw tobacco was also uncovered which, if processed into hand rolling tobacco, would have a retail value of over €1.55 million representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of €1.24 million.
John O’Reilly, Revenue Commissioners’ Investigation and Prosecution Division, said: ‘As part of the operation, Revenue Commissioners along with An Garda Síochána carried out a number of searches in the area of Carlingford.’
He added: ‘Revenue is determined and resolute in its own efforts and in collaboration with An Garda Síochána to tackle all forms of smuggling and illicit activity in relation to tobacco and other products.’
Garda Detective Superintendent
Alan Cunningham, said: ‘ Through the Joint Agency Task Force, Gardaí along with other agencies will continue to focus on organised crime groups involved in the illegal manufacture and distribution of tobacco as it is used as a source of funding to support dissident republican activities.’
Three men were also arrested in Newry by HMRC as part of the cross border operation.
A heavy goods vehicle and its refrigerated unit, a van and a fork lift truck were also seized along with approximately £12,000 (€13,375) and €2,000 (€2,229).
The operation led to the further eight searches across the border carried out by the JATF’s Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána, with almost €100,000 euros, thousands of duty stamps found.
Steve Tracey, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: ‘Multi- agency investigations mounted by the Joint Agency Task Force show what can be achieved by our ongoing cross-jurisdictional cooperation to tackle criminality. Our collaboration, even during a global pandemic, demonstrates that we are committed to working with each other, at every level and in every location to tackle organised crime on a cross border basis.’