Man caught with 20,000 cigarettes in Dublin Airport is sentenced

One year imprisonment for cigarette duty evasion on tobacco worth €8,000

The case arose after Revenue’s Customs Service seized 20,000 cigarettes at Dublin Airport in June 2009. File photo.   Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire
The case arose after Revenue’s Customs Service seized 20,000 cigarettes at Dublin Airport in June 2009. File photo. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

A man was sentenced today to 12 months imprisonment for evasion of cigarette duty.

The case arose after Revenue’s Customs Service seized some 20,000 cigarettes from the man at Dublin Airport in June 2009. The cigarettes had a total retail value of €7,992 with a potential loss to the Exchequer of €6,706.

Yaser Jaser Mohammed Abu-Khater appeared at the Circuit Criminal Court today, Revenue said. He was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment for evasion and attempted evasion of duty on the Marlboro Light cigarettes.

Revenue has appealed to anyone with information on smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes to contact it on 1800 295295.

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery

Genevieve Carbery is Deputy Head of Audience at The Irish Times