Five men arrested after gardaí discover illegal cigarette factory in Louth

James Cox

Five men have been arrested by gardaí following the discovery of an illegal cigarette factory in Co Louth on Monday.

As part of an intelligence-led operation, An Garda Síochána and Revenue officers searched a premises under warrant in Ardee, Co Louth, and closed down an illicit commercial cigarette factory.

Approximately eight tonnes of raw tobacco and 660,000 illicit cigarettes were discovered onsite during the operation.

Five men were arrested and detained at Garda stations in Co Louth under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984.

They have since been charged and are expected to appear before a sitting of Dundalk District Court this morning at 10.30am.

Investigations are ongoing, gardaí said.