REVENUE'S Customs
Service have seized 6,200 cigarettes with an
estimated retail value of €2,860 at Killybegs port.
The cigarettes were discovered yesterday concealed
in a ventilation compartment on the outer deckhouse
of a boat that arrived from St Petersburg. A Russian
crewmember was questioned in relation to the find.
Revenue said the cigarettes represented a potential
loss to the Exchequer of over €2,600.
The vessel was detained and the goods were seized. A
fine of €5,500 was imposed for the release of the
vessel.
"These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing
operations targeting the supply and sale of illegal
cigarettes in the shadow economy," Revenue said in a
statement.
It urged businesses or members of the public with
any information regarding the smuggling or sale of
illegal cigarettes or tobacco to contact them in
confidence on free phone number 1800 295 295. |