Drugs with a combined value of €125,000 were seized at Shannon Airport this week.
On Tuesday, Revenue officers completed a routine operation and uncovered 4kg of Kratom worth an estimated €81,000.
Kratom comes from the leaves of a tropical tree grown in southeast Asia and comes in the form of leaves, resin and powder. At low doses it has cocaine-like stimulant effects but at higher doses it can have sedative effects.
Chemicals in the leaves bind to the same opiate receptors as heroin and morphine. Originating from Luxembourg, the drugs were addressed to Co Mayo.
Herbal cannabis with an estimated value of €44,000 was also seized at Shannon this week. Located in a freight consignment from Milan, the drugs weighing over 2kg were found in four different packages and were intended to reach an address in Co Galway.
Investigations into both seizures are ongoing. “These seizures are part of Revenue’s ongoing work targeting the illegal importation of drugs and shadow economy activity. If businesses, or members of the public, have any information, they can contact Revenue in confidence on Confidential Phone Number 1800 295 295,” a spokesperson for Revenue stated.
