The Revenue Commissioners have unveiled their newest weapon to target smuggling.

Its new 'ZBV' mobile scanner cost €1.1m and was part-funded by a grant of €550,000 from the European Anti-Fraud Agency, OLAF.

Revenue says the new scanner, deployed in Dublin Port earlier this year, is "a vital resource" in its strategy to target fiscal fraud, fuel fraud, and the supply of illicit drugs and tobacco.

The new mobile scanner uses Z backscatter technology which Revenue says is proven in the detection of drugs, tobacco products and other contraband - particularly when concealed within the likes of freight consignments.

Revenue Commissioner Gerry Harrahill says: "With continually changing economic and business environments, Revenue's challenge is to constantly anticipate emerging risks and respond to them effectively.

Revenue's 'ZBV' mobile scanner | Image: Supplied

"Revenue implement customs controls in a manner that supports legitimate trade, while effectively managing compliance risks and tackling illegitimate trade."

"The flexibility and speed of the 'ZBV' mobile scanner significantly increases Revenue's scanning capacity and provides an unobtrusive and non-invasive way to examine cargo with minimum disruption to legitimate trade."

He also referred to on-going joint operations conducted by Revenue's Customs Service and An Garda Síochána.

One such operation, in June this year, resulted in the seizure of herbal cannabis worth €1.9m that had been destined for the Irish market.

While in March last year, a Revenue-led operation resulted in the discovery of Ireland's first counterfeit cigarette factory.