THE DISCOVERY of a sizeable quantity of illegal equine drugs at Dublin airport last week being transported by a 72-year-old US citizen, led to heightened security at the Royal Dublin Society Fáilte Ireland Horse Show this week.
First news of the incident came in a statement from Customs and Excise last week which said Customs at the airport seized a quantity of equine and bovine anti-flu vaccines at the airport.
“The products were discovered when Customs searched the baggage of a 72-year-old American national who had arrived on a flight from New York. Customs believe the products were destined for the black market in veterinary products,” the statement added.
It said the products involved are prohibited from importation except under licence.
While there was no further information available from the Customs authorities last night, veterinary sources said the man, described as an habitual offender, had been deported in the last couple of days.
“We believe Ireland was not the outlet for these vaccines and he may have been trying to get into the UK from where he has been deported before for similar offences,” one highly-placed veterinary source said yesterday.
Ireland has been on high alert against the illegal importation of any vaccines since an outbreak of Equine Infectious Anaemia happened here when illegal vaccines were imported from Italy in 2006 and threatened the entire horse industry.
There was also concern the smuggling attempt had been made to coincide with the arrival of the international cavalcade of international horses and riders for the Dublin Horse Show.
Because of this, there was increased security at the RDS horse show and Customs officials have been on the site looking for evidence of the sale or supply of illegal equine horse medicines, but none has been uncovered.