Customs officers have seized over 22,000 cigarettes worth €10,3000 in Limerick.
A Revenue spokeswoman said officers discovered two steel containers, each concealing over 11,000 'Septwolf' brand cigarettes, when they stopped and searched a vehicle at the Limerick-Cork border yesterday.
Two Chinese nationals were questioned and the car was also seized.
The spokeswoman said that as part of the operation, customs officers executed a search warrant at a private residence in Limerick city.
“A number of Chinese nationals were questioned and items including mobile phones, tablet PC, and documentation were also seized.”
The investigation is on-going “with a view to prosecution”, the spokeswoman added.
She said the potential loss of revenue to the Exchequer from the smuggled cigarettes was €8,100.