Cigarettes seized at Dublin airport

Some 100,000 cigarettes and €41,000 in cash have been seized by customs officers at Dublin airport.

Some 100,000 cigarettes and €41,000 in cash have been seized by customs officers at Dublin airport.

Revenue confirmed the seizure took place yesterday.

The potential loss to the Exchequer was about €32,000, a statement said.

"In an operation targeting a Lithuanian based gang, the cigarettes were seized from passengers who had arrived on a flight from Vilnius, Lithuania. Officers also intercepted a car driven by a male Lithuanian national which contained 32,000 cigarettes and €18,000 cash."

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Customs officers seized the cash under proceeds of crime legislation.

They were granted a three months detention order this afternoon by Judge Cormac Dunne at Dublin District Court, in order to allow them carry out further investigations.

"This is another significant success for Customs who believe the cigarettes were destined for the black market," Revenue said.