Destroying illicit goods cost Revenue more than €170,000.

The Revenue Commissioners has spent more than €170,000 shredding illegal cigarettes, destroying fake branded goods and getting rid of illicit alcohol over the past three years.

The costs are part of more than €2.8 million spent managing illegal goods that were seized during operations between 2016 and 2018.

Figures reveal how an average of €875,000 is spent by Revenue each year keeping the State Warehouse running. The warehouse is used to store illegal cigarettes and alcohol, along with other items, with €2.625 million spent on employee salaries, collection and transport of seized goods, security, cleaning and other costs.

Illegal alcohol is disposed of when a sufficient amount is available, usually between 15 and 20,000 litres, according to the Revenue Commissioners.

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/destroying-illicit-goods-cost-revenue-more-than-170-000-v9hnmrdfk