Factory had the capacity to produce up to 700,000 cigarettes per day

Five individuals have been arrested by An Garda Síochána following the discovery of an illegal cigarette factory in Ardee which had the capacity to produce up to  700,000 cigaettes a day. 

Yesterday, 3rd March, 2025, acting on information received, An Garda Síochána and Revenue officers searched a premises under warrant in Ardee, Co. Louth, and closed down an illicit commercial cigarette factory.

Approximately eight tonnes of raw tobacco and 660,000 illicit cigarettes were discovered on-site during the operation.

Five adult males were arrested and detained at Garda stations in Co. Louth under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

They have since been charged and were scheduled to appear before a sitting of Dundalk District Court this morning Tuesday 4th March 2025 at 10.30am.

The 660,000 illicit cigarettes discovered on-site were branded ‘NZ’ and their retail value is estimated to be over €595,000, with a potential loss to the Exchequer of almost €470,000.

The equipment at the plant is believed to have had the capacity to produce up to 700,000 cigarettes per day, along with pre-processing and packaging facilities. Approximately €4,500 cash was also seized, and Revenue officers will seek a 3-month cash detention order in respect of same.   

The operation was conducted with the assistance of the Louth Crime Unit and Regional Armed Support Unit of An Garda Síochána, and detector dog Toby. Revenue collaborated with other members of the Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) ahead of yesterday’s operation.

Five men were arrested and are being detained in a Garda station in Co. Louth under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

Investigations are ongoing.

This seizures is part of Revenue’s ongoing operations targeting the shadow economy and the supply of illegal tobacco products. If businesses or members of the public have any information regarding smuggling, they can contact Revenue in confidence on the confidential free phone number 1800 295 295.