Customs officers have today seized cigarettes worth an estimated €3.2 million at Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary.
In an operation codenamed "Operation Maigret", Customs, supported by gardaí, seized approximately eight million counterfeit cigarettes at a commercial premises in the town. Four men were arrested.
The Benson & Hedges brand cigarettes arrived into Dublin Port from China on March 20th in a 40-foot Lo/Lo maritime container, with a manifest declaring a cargo of furniture.
Customs officers kept the container under surveillance and raided the commercial premises this afternoon. Two private residences were also searched under warrant.
Those arrested are aged between 45 and 65 and are from the Waterford area. They have been arrested under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 and are being being questioned at Clonmel and Cahir Garda stations.