Sniffer dog discovers major haul of illegal cigarettes

Thousands of packets of illegal cigarettes have been found hidden under a cargo of farm machinery by customs sniffer dog Casey.

In her latest success, the three-and-a-half-year-old springer spaniel-cross became suspicious when a lorry pulling a low-loader came off a boat from Rotterdam at Dublin Port.

Revenue said almost 250,000 cigarettes - about 12,500 packets with Marlboro Gold, Marlboro Red and Winston Blue branding - were concealed in the trailer’s chassis rail.

The lorry was registered in Poland and the Polish driver, in his 30s, was questioned by customs officers.

Investigations are ongoing, customs said.

Airport discovery

In a separate discovery at Dublin Airport on Sunday, 9,300 Kent branded cigarettes were discovered in a Moldovan passenger’s bags after he flew in from Frankfurt.

Revenue said the seized cigarettes were worth about €135,000 and would have led to a loss to the exchequer of €116,250.

PA