Revenue seized large quantity of drugs concealed in packages en route to Dublin

Parcels containing illegal drugs were cleverly disguised as 'toys', 'candy', 'bedding', 'clothing' and 'cosmetics'.

Revenue officers in Dublin have seized drugs worth around €400,000 concealed in packages.

On Thursday, Revenue officers at premises in Athlone confiscated 20.1 kilograms of herbal cannabis and large amounts of prescription medications. Nearly €493,000 worth of illegal drugs were uncovered in parcels from Spain, the Netherlands and the UK destined for individuals in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow counties.

On Monday, revenue officers uncovered a large quantity of herbal cannabis, hash cakes and prescription medication with the help of detector dogs Bailey and Sam. The combined weight was 19kgs for the herbal cannabis, 6.8kgs for the hash cakes and an unspecified amount of prescription drugs. An estimated €400,000 worth of illegal drugs was found in parcels that originated from the USA, Canada, Spain, India and the UK and were meant to be delivered to places all over Ireland.

The parcels were identified as containing items such as “toys”, “candy”, “bedding”, “clothing” and “cosmetics”. A Revenue spokesperson confirmed that they are still looking into the matter.

If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on phone number 1800 295 295

“Yesterday (13/04/2023), as a result of routine operations, Revenue officers examining parcels at premises in Athlone seized 20.1kgs of herbal cannabis and commercial quantities of prescription medication. The illicit drugs, with an estimated value of nearly €493,000, were discovered in parcels originating from Spain, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom and were destined for addresses in Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.”

“Separately, during routine operations this week (beginning 10/04/2023) and with the assistance of detector dogs Bailey and Sam, Revenue officers examining parcels in Dublin seized contraband worth €400,000. These seizures included over 19kgs of herbal cannabis, 6.8kgs of hash cakes and commercial quantities of prescription medication.”

“The illegal drugs were discovered in parcels originating from the USA, Canada, Spain, India and the United Kingdom and were destined for addresses throughout the country. The parcels were declared as ‘toys’, ‘candy’, ‘bedding’, ‘clothing’ and ‘cosmetics’.”

“Investigations into all of these seizures are ongoing. These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling, shadow economy activity 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 phone number 1800 295 295.”