Revenue Commissioners Seize €4 Million in Contraband at Dublin Port

Irish Revenue officials have seized over €4 million worth of contraband, including a substantial quantity of cigarettes, at Dublin Port. The seizures, which occurred on March 9, 2026, involved approximately 4.1 million cigarettes, as well as illicit drugs, counterfeit goods, and alcohol. The operation highlights the ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and the shadow economy in Ireland.

Cigarette Seizures Exceed €3.7 Million

The largest component of the seizure was a shipment of 4 million cigarettes, valued at around €3.7 million. These cigarettes were discovered following routine risk profiling, utilizing Revenue’s mobile X-ray scanner and with the assistance of detector dog Milo . The brands identified included Terea, Camel, Neafs, Hookah, Richmond King Size, Lambert & Butler Original, Kent Core, Vogue Bleue, Pall Mall, Amber Leaf and Silk Cut Blue.

The potential loss to the exchequer from the sale of these cigarettes on the black market is estimated at over €2.9 million in excise duties and tax .

Broader Contraband Haul

Beyond the cigarettes, Revenue officials also seized:

• Counterfeit goods branded Gucci, Nike, New Era, Christian Dior, Asics, Coco Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton, totaling €172,000 in value.
• €72,900 worth of herbal cannabis, weighing 3.6kg.
• 2,120 litres of illicit alcohol, valued at €22,700.
• A variety of illicit drugs, including cannabinoid vape liquids, cannabis resin, cocaine, crack cocaine, edibles, ketamine, khat, LSD, reefers and synthetic cannabinoids.
• 38g of heroin, worth just over €5,000.

Ongoing Operations and Public Cooperation

These seizures are part of Revenue’s continuous operations aimed at tackling smuggling and the shadow economy. The detections were made following risk profiling and intelligence-led operations, with assistance from detector dogs Sam and Ciara .

Members of the public with information regarding smuggling activity are encouraged to contact Revenue in confidence at 1800 295 295.

Recent Seizure Trends

Recent seizures indicate a growing trend in illicit cigarette smuggling in Ireland. Combined seizures in Dublin Port and Rosslare Europort between March 1st and 7th resulted in the confiscation of over 27 million cigarettes, valued at €25.3 million .