Revenue officers seize significant quantities of drugs and cigarettes at two Irish airports

Investigations are underway following the seizure of significant quantities of illicit cigarettes and drugs by Revenue officers.

In one incident, as result of risk profiling, Revenue officers based at Shannon Airport in County Clare seized 1kg of herbal cannabis during an operation on Tuesday.

"The illicit drugs, with an estimated value of €20,000, were discovered in parcels originating from the USA and were destined for an address in Co. Cork," said a spokesperson.

The seizure was the second significant drugs seizure at Shannon Airport this month. 

Separately, Revenue officers based at Shannon Airport seized 26,000 cigarettes (pictured below) during a search of a ship at Foynes Port in County Limerick during an intelligence-led operation on Sunday.

The cigarettes, branded ‘L & M’, have a retail value of €20,000 and represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €16,000.

In another unrelated operation, Revenue officers seized 23,400 cigarettes and 6kgs of tobacco at Cork Airport. That seizure was made as a result of risk profiling.

According to Revenue, the cigarettes and tobacco, branded ‘John Player Blue’ and ‘Amber Leaf’, have an estimated retail value of over €24,500 representing a potential loss to the Exchequer of over €19,000.

The discovery was made when Revenue officers searched the bags of passengers arriving on a flight which had arrived from the Canary Islands.

Investigations into all three seizures are ongoing.

"These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295," said a spokesperson.