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THE VALUE OF illicit goods seized at Dublin Airport in 2018 more than doubled on the previous year, while authorities have seized €18 million worth of contraband at the airport since 2016.
The figure for amounts seized in Dublin Airport far outweighs the value of seizures in Cork and Shannon airports over the same time period, with almost €218,000 and €2.06 million respectively.
The value of goods seized at Rosslare and Dublin Ports, meanwhile, has exceeded €100 million in that time.
The figures were released to Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy via parliamentary question.
The values listed cover all types of seizures from excisable products, weapons, controlled drugs, meats etc. It details the value of the products excluding excise duty and VAT.
Here’s Dublin Airport’s figures for smuggled contraband for the past four years:
In Cork Airport, the figures ranged from €94,115 in 2016 to €39,382 in the first 11 months of this year.
In Shannon, meanwhile, the first 11 months of this year have seen the highest value of goods seized since 2016 with €563,538 worth.
At the ports, meanwhile, the figures associated with goods seized is far greater.
At Dublin Port, alone, €87 million worth has been seized since 2016.
Here’s a breakdown of seizures there:
And here’s the breakdown at Rosslare:
In 2017, TheJournal.ie got a behind-the-scenes look at Revenue’s new X-ray machine, and the state-of-the-art technology used to detect smuggling.
That scanner cost €1.7 million but detected significant quantities of drugs, illicit cigarettes and alcohol as well as other banned items in the first six months of operation.
One enforcement officer said that criminals “will surprise you with the places they’ll try to hide stuff”.
But she added: “It’s nearly impossible to get something passed us. The equipment is that sophisticated. But we’ve seen them try everything. Hiding drugs in tyres, in the pallets themselves, in fuel tanks or even the engine block. This scanner sees all those.
“If you’re hiding something, we’ll find it.”
With reporting from Michelle Hennessy
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Be some fun trying to recharge all those electric cars
@Ian James Burgess: Power is still out in a number of areas inaccessible due to the snow. Even if EV owners could charge the car in these areas, they ain’t going far are they ?
@Tommy Roche: Depending on setup, some EV cars can be used to power homes in the event of a power failure.
@Ian James Burgess: Do you reckon you’d wait for the battery to die before walking home?
Bleedin gubermint with there snow storms
@Stephen Donaghy: I’m sure the Greek Mary Lou will be blaming them
‘Zeus is angry and votive offerings must be made to placate him! Let’s burn all the electric cars…’
Take it up with God.
@Pat Casey: That would be Elon Musk?
How are the Government responsible for a snow storm?!
have your say