Revenue have closed down an illicit commercial cigarette factory after the search of a premises in Ardee, Co Louth.
Approximately eight tonnes of raw tobacco, all precursor components for the manufacture of cigarettes, and 660,000 illicit cigarettes, branded NZ, were discovered on-site.
The retail value of the seized cigarettes is estimated to be over €595,000, with a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €470,000.
The equipment at the production plant is believed to have had the capacity to produce up to 700,000 cigarettes per day, along with pre-processing and packaging facilities.
Approximately €4,500 cash was also seized, and Revenue officers will seek a 3-month cash detention order in respect of same.
The operation was conducted with the assistance of the Louth Crime Unit and Regional Armed Support Unit of An Garda Síochána, and detector dog Toby.
Revenue collaborated with other members of the Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) ahead of yesterday’s operation.
Five men were arrested and are being detained in a Garda station in Co. Louth under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.
This seizures is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products.
If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on the confidential free phone number 1800 295 295.
