#TobaccoShipSeized – RTE reports that Customs officers at Drogheda Port have seized tobacco worth an estimated €14m.

Customs officers backed by gardaí boarded a ship in the early hours of yesterday morning and recovered 32 million cigarettes and 4,000kg of water pipe tobacco.
It is the biggest seizure of cigarettes in Europe this year.

The operation targeted an international crime gang led by Irish and UK nationals based in Europe.

The MV Shingle was loaded in Slovenia and arrived into Drogheda Port early this morning having sailed via Lisbon in Portugal.

The ship and its cargo were seized and a number of follow-up searches are under way both in Ireland and in mainland Europe.

A spokesperson for Revenue said the operation was the culmination of months of work by law enforcement agencies across the continent including Slovenia, Portugal and Ireland.

For more RTE has photos of the vessel departing Drogheda Port and arriving at Dublin Port plus TV news coverage by clicking HERE.

Afloat.ie adds the 669 tonnes built in 1982 was escorted from the Louth port to the capital by the Revenue Commissioners cutters RCC Suirbheir and RCC Faire.