Tobacco worth an estimated €2.5 million has been seized by Customs officers at Dublin Port.
Three tonnes of loose tobacco were packed in a consignment that originated in China.
The illegal tobacco was hidden in large urns, described on the manifest as "polyresin crafts".
A Revenue spokesman said the tobacco had a retail value of €2.5 million and would represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of €1.5 million.
Customs officers were assisted by the Garda organised crime unit when they made the find yesterday afternoon.
“This operation is part of an ongoing strategy between Revenue and An Garda Síochána to combat the smuggling of cigarettes and tobacco into the State,” the Revenue spokesman said.
National and international investigations are ongoing.