Four men have been arrested following the seizure of around 9 million contraband cigarettes in Co. Louth. They were found during the search of a truck and an SUV at a service station on the M1 this morning.

The cigarettes have an estimated street value of €4.3 million and were seized near Castlebellingham.

The seizure is part of an on-going operation targeting the illegal importation of contraband products by the Garda Organised Crime Unit.

Four men were arrested at the scene and they are currently detained at Drogheda and Dundalk Garda Station Garda Stations. They are being held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984.

During follow up searches, a number of business premises and private residences were also searched. Gardai say investigations are continuing.

This seizure brings to approximately 35 million the number of cigarettes seized by Revenue to date this year.

Revenue have called on businesses or members of the public who have any information regarding the smuggling or sale of illegal cigarettes or tobacco to contact Revenue in confidence on free phone number 1800-295-295.