The seizure by Customs and Excise officers of over 43 million illicit cigarettes worth around £8 million was yesterday hailed by a Revenue Commissioner, Mr Frank Ryan, as a major success in the fight against organised smuggling.
Cork Customs and Excise uncovered almost 28 million cigarettes in four containers at Tivoli docks while Dublin officers uncovered over 15 million cigarettes in two containers at Dublin Port.
The seizures, which were made on Wednesday but announced only yesterday, follow the seizure of 14 million illegal cigarettes in Dublin Port last week and bring to 77 million the number of illegal cigarettes seized by Customs and Excise this year.
The Cork seizure was made after Customs officers became suspicious when checking a ship's manifest and found four containers were listed as containing picnic furniture from Dubai in the Middle East.
Customs officials believe the containers came to Cork via Amsterdam but that the smugglers intended to distribute them mainly in Britain and on the continent. No arrests were made in connection with the seizure.
Meanwhile, Dublin Customs and Excise officers became suspicious of two containers when they saw they were listed as containing audio cassette cases - the same listing given to a consignment of 14 million illegal cigarettes seized last week.
The Dublin seizure was again of high quality and included a large quantity of cigarettes branded as Benson and Hedges as well as some branded Regal and Jet. Customs officials believe they were also intended mainly for the UK and Europe.
Mr Ryan said the Customs and Excise service was determined to continue the fight against tobacco smuggling and pointed out that the public should be aware that there are indications that tobacco smuggling is linked to drugs smuggling.
Customs officers yesterday began shredding the illegal cigarettes in Cork and Dublin.
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