A man was remanded in custody today after customs officers seized more than 32,000 cigarettes at Dublin airport.
The 40-year-old Northern Ireland resident was stopped and searched by customs officers after arriving on a flight from Dubai today.
Customs officers found the Traditional brand cigarettes in two suitcases. The haul has an estimated retail value of €14,000 and a potential loss to the exchequer of €12,500.
The man was arrested and appeared before Dublin District Court this morning.
Judge Denis McLoughlin remanded him in custody to appear before Cloverhill District Court next Tuesday.
The haul was welcomed by Retailers Against Smuggling which represents tobacco retailers.
The seizure showed that smugglers were exploring " exploring every option when it comes to smuggling" spokesman Benny Gilsenan said.
Greater resouces should be givcven to revenue customs officers to clamp down in the illegal cigarette trade, he said.
The provision of an extra scanner at the State's ports and a clampdown on the online availability of illicit tobacco would help to address this issue, he added.