A million contraband cigarettes have been seized by customs officers near Drogheda, Co Louth.
Officers from Revenue Customs Service seized the 'Mayfair' brand cigarettes yesterday after the consignment arrived at Dublin airport on a flight originating in Dubai.
A statement issued this afternoon said the potential loss to the Exchequer was €248,000.
"Following risk profiling by customs officers, the cartons were examined and discovered to contain contraband cigarettes. The consignment, packed in cartons said to contain labels, was then placed under surveillance awaiting collection," the statement said.
The driver and passenger of a vehicle, both men in their 40s from the border area, were intercepted, interviewed and later released, the statement added.
"Investigations are ongoing with a view to prosecution."
Some 40 million cigarettes have been seized by customs officers already, this year of which 16.5 million alone have been seized at Dublin airport.