Seizures of counterfeit alcohol up fourfold

Seizures of counterfeit alcohol increased fourfold this year compared with last, while seizures of smuggled cigarettes and tobacco appear to have declined sharply, according to figures from the Revenue Commissioners.

Figures for the first 10 months of this year also suggest interceptions of such drugs as cannabis, heroin, cocaine and ecstasy are also down considerably on last year.

Customs officials and gardaí seized more than €3 million worth of counterfeit goods in the same period, including a consignment of imitation Ugg boots and Jimmy Choo shoes worth up to €250,000 and destined for the Christmas market.

The goods were seized under the Revenue Commissioners’ powers to protect intellectual property rights.

Regarding counterfeit alcohol, some 929 litres were seized in the period to the end of October this year, compared with 232 litres in the same period last year. The most commonly copied alcoholic product was vodka.

A spokeswoman said the bottles were filled with raw alcohol to a set level and then diluted with water to a normal strength of alcohol for the market, about 40 per cent alcohol by volume.

Seizures of illegal tobacco products would appear to be down considerably this year. There were 5,023 seizures of a total of 37.7 million smuggled cigarettes, worth €17 million in the first 10 months. This compares with 8,105 seizures of a total of 95 million smuggled cigarettes worth €43.3 million in the whole of 2012.

According to Revenue, there were 3,564 seizures of counterfeit items. Some 151,808 items were seized, with a value – if genuine – of €3,145,049.

Typical items seized were electronic goods, DVDs, cosmetics, handbags and purses, clothing, jewellery, toys and games, headphones and mobile phones and body care products. Most arrive by post, reflecting the growth of internet purchasing.