Some of the items recovered in the raid of a private house at Proleek in Ravensdale yesterday
Investigations are continuing this morning following the discovery of an illegal tobacco factory outside Dundalk yesterday.
The factory at Proleek in Ravensdale is believed to be the first of its kind in the state.
Three tonnes of tobacco worth an estimated €1.2 million were seized at a private home around 7.45am yesterday morning after a joint intelligence operation between Revenue’s custom services and the Gardaí.
It is estimated that the contraband could have cost the exchequer about €1 million in lost taxes.
Revenue officials have said the house was operating as a “large scale cottage-type industry for preparing and packaging illegal roll-your-own tobacco”.
A total of 8,720 L&M and Excellence brand cigarettes were seized, as well as counterfeit Amber Leaf and Flandia brand pouches of tobacco, and Dutch tax stamps.
Two non-Irish nationals were questioned but no arrests have been made.
Talk of the Town 