Over 50,000 illegal cigarettes seized during search operation in Offaly

More than 50,000 cigarettes were seized during the search of a premises in Offaly on Wednesday.

In a statement today, Revenue said its officers carried out the operation with the support of An Garda Síochána.

Under warrant, they searched an Offaly premises and recovered 50,420 illicit cigarettes, of various brands along with 1.1 kilogrammes of tobacco.

The cigarettes and tobacco had a combined retail value of over €43,000, and Revenue said this represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €33,900.

A vehicle and €4,000 in cash, which was suspected to be the proceeds of criminal activity, were also recovered during the course of this operation.

Revenue officers were granted a three-month cash detention order by Judge Andrew Cody at Portlaoise District Court.

Investigations into the matter are ongoing, and no further details are being disclosed by Revenue at this stage.

These seizures were part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products.