Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if a Garda file has been sent to the Director of the Public Prosecutions, arising from the seizure of 120 million cigarettes at Greenore, County Louth in October 2009; the estimated value of the cigarettes seized; if the vessel (details supplied), alleged to have been in the incident is still detained. [5599/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that Operation Samhna which was carried out in Greenore, Co. Louth in October 2009 resulted in the seizure of contraband cigarettes with an estimated value of €46.7 million. This operation was led by the Customs Service and was fully supported by An Garda Síochána, the Criminal Assets Bureau, the Irish Naval Service and the Air Corps. In addition, officers from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and the Police Service of Northern Ireland were also present.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the seizure resulted in nine arrests. Following interviews, all of the persons arrested were released without charge, pending the completion of an investigation file by the Revenue Commissioners. I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that the investigation in this case is continuing, and consequently, a file has not yet been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The investigation is being carried out by Revenue Investigators and also involves Investigators from the European Anti Fraud Office (OLAF) who are co-ordinating investigations abroad with the relevant authorities in the Philippines. In this regard, a team involving officers from Revenue and OLAF have already visited the Philippines where they instigated the gathering of the necessary information.

I am further informed that the vessel involved in the incident was released on 6 November 2009 after it was established that the owners of the vessel, and the company to whom it had been first leased, were not involved in the activities in question.