Over seven kilos of herbal cannabis seized in Athlone

Revenue officers seized over seven kilogrammes of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €146,800 at a premises in Athlone yesterday (Thursday).

The illicit drugs were discovered in parcels originating from Spain and were destined for addresses in Dublin.

It was one of a number of seizures by Revenue officials this week. Also, yesterday, Thursday, as part of an intelligence-led operation, Revenue officers seized approximately 14 kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €280,000 at Dublin Airport.

The illicit drugs were discovered within vacuum-packed packages when Revenue officers stopped and searched the baggage of a passenger who had disembarked a flight from Los Angeles, USA.

A man in his 30s was arrested by An Garda Síochána, he has since been charged and is before the courts.

Separately this week, as a result of risk profiling and with the assistance of detector dog Grace, Revenue officers examining parcels at a Dublin premises seized 21.4 kg of herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €433,000.

The illegal drugs were discovered in parcels which originated in the USA, Canada, Spain and Thailand and were destined for addresses across Leinster and Connacht.

Investigations are ongoing into all these seizures.

These seizures are part of Revenue's ongoing operations targeting the importation of illegal drugs. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on 1800 295 295.