Special investigations carried out by the Revenue Commissioners yielded almost €55 million last year, according to preliminary figures released today.
Overall, special investigations have yielded a total of €2.4 billion for Revenue.
An investigation into offshore assets yielded a total of €29 million during 2008 while a further €18.7 million came from an investigation into life assuarance products. In addition, €4.1 million was taken from bogus non-residential accounts.
Over €570 million in tax revenues were taken from 13,406 audits in 2008.
There were 20 convictions obtained for serious tax and customs evasions. A further 433 prosecutions were obtained from seizures related to laundered or marked mineral oil, VRT offences, excise licences and anti-fraud seizures.
Cocaine and heroin with an estimated street valued of €517 million was seized during the year, while cigarettes worth €54.3 million were seized. Additionally, cannabis estimated at €27.9 million and €700,000 of alcohol was also seized during operations in 2008.
