Over €850k worth of cigarettes seized in Offaly investigation

A sniffer dog helped locate more than €850,000 worth of cigarettes which were seized in a joint operation carried out by Gardai and Revenue in Offaly yesterday (Thursday).

Gardaí said they carried out searches under warrant of two properties in Edenderry and Rhode and recovered 906,000 cigarettes with an estimated retail value of €858,500.

Revenue customs officers seized the cigarettes which have now been taken for further examination.

Revenue said its officers were supported by 'Detector Dog Sam' in the operation and that the seized cigarettes represented a potential loss to the Exchequer of approximately €673,000.

"The cigarettes were seized when Revenue officers accompanied colleagues from An Garda Síochána on the search, under warrant, of two premises in Edenderry and Rhode.

"The cigarettes were branded Marlboro Gold, Winston, L&M, MAC White Gold, NZ Gold, and M1 Superslims," said a Revenue spokesperson.

Investigations into the incident are ongoing.