Smuggled cigarettes worth €880,000 found concealed in crates marked 'book covers'

Smuggled cigarettes worth almost €880,000 have been seized as part of an intelligence-led operation on Friday afternoon.

The contraband - 1.6 million cigarettes - were discovered by revenue officers who intercepted a truck near the M1 motorway in Co Louth.

It is understood that the cigarettes, which were branded "Richman Royal", may have originated in Dubai.

They were concealed in a number of crates said to contain "book covers" - and represent a potential loss to the Exchequer of more than €700,000.