Over 18.4 kgs of herbal cannabis seized in Athlone

Over the course of last week, Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Athlone seized over 18.4 kgs of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €368,200. The illicit drugs were discovered with the assistance of detector dog Enzo in parcels originating from Spain which were intended for addresses in Dublin and Meath.

This was the second significant drugs seizure in Athlone in the last two weeks, after Revenue officers intercepted a package of herbal cannabis worth over €200,000 during the week beginning July 8.

Some 10.4kg of the drugs, with an estimated value of €208,800, were found by Revenue officers examining parcels at a premises in Athlone.

In a statement, Revenue said the drugs were in a parcel that originated in Spain and was intended for an address in Dublin.

Various quantities of other illegal drugs, with an estimated combined value of almost €95,000, were also seized as a result of risk profiling, during the examination of parcels at a premises in Dublin over the past week. The illegal drugs were discovered in parcels originating from the the USA, the United Kingdom, India, Canada and Thailand. The parcels were intended for various addresses nationwide.

A quantity of retail goods, with an estimated value of approximately over €52,600, was also seized due to infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.

Investigations into all seizures are ongoing.

These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting smuggling and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.