This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8329306.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Cigarette ship set to be unloaded Cigarette ship set to be unloaded
(40 minutes later)
Revenue officials and gardai are to begin unloading a cargo of 120m illegal cigarettes which were seized on a ship off the County Louth coast. Revenue officials and gardai in Dublin are to begin unloading a cargo of 120m illegal cigarettes which were seized on a ship off the County Louth coast.
About 150 law enforcement officers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were involved in the operation on Tuesday. Two men from County Armagh were among nine arrested in connection with Tuesday's seizure. The other men are from the Irish Republic.
Two men from County Armagh were among nine people arrested in County Louth. The cigarettes are worth 50m euros. About 150 law enforcement officers from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland were involved in the operation.
The ship arrived in Dublin Port on Wednesday. Customs officials in the Republic said the cigarettes were worth about £45m.
It is expected the unloading of the cargo, which contains nearly 1,500 one-tonne bags, will begin on Wednesday afteroon. It has been described as the largest find of its type in Europe. The ship, which is called the MV Anne Scan, arrived in Dublin Port early on Wednesday morning.
It is expected the unloading of the cargo, which contains nearly 1,500 one-tonne bags, will begin in the afternoon.
It has been described as the largest find of its type in Europe.
The cigarettes, which were loaded in the Philippines, were destined for markets in the Republic and the UK.The cigarettes, which were loaded in the Philippines, were destined for markets in the Republic and the UK.
Speaking on Tuesday, HM Revenue and Customs spokesman John Whiting said the operation targeted a suspected organised crime group operating on both sides of the Irish border. Premises near the village of Knockbridge, just outside Dundalk, were searched on Tuesday night in connection with the operation.
"This smuggling attempt was organised crime on a global scale," he said. It was there that seven of the nine men being held were arrested.
"Today's operation shows that those who think they can exploit international borders for criminal purposes and to escape justice are wrong." The captain and first officer of the ship are also being questioned.
Irish police commissioner Fachtna Murphy said it was a "significant strike against organised crime". HM Revenue and Customs have said that the operation targeted a suspected organised crime group which was operating on both sides of the Irish border.