Man with 45,000 cigarettes told gardaí he ‘smoked a lot’
The defendant pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court.
A man found with more than 45,000 untaxed cigarettes claimed he and his wife smoked a lot.
Olegs Leontjevs, aged 56, of Corr na gClogh, Ballinrobe, pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to possessing the unstamped cigarettes.
The court heard the Russian national had been selling illegal cigarettes in the Ballinrobe area. Customs and Excise officers received a tip-off about Leontjevs’ activity and he was put under surveillance. On October 31, 2019, a search was carried out at his home and a total of 45,760 cigarettes were found which equated to 200 cartons.
What is believed to be a ‘float’ containing €141 was found in a drawer in the sitting room and more than €80,000 was discovered in two bedrooms. However, it was claimed that this money was part of a €380,000 workplace injury compensation payout that the accused received in 2011. Leontjevs also said he didn’t trust the banks.
When asked by Customs officers why he had so many cigarettes, Leontjevs said it was because he and his wife smoked a lot. He said he had bought the cigarettes online but was unable to say via which website.
While being interviewed someone arrived at the door of the house seeking to buy cigarettes.
Leontjevs has no previous convictions.
Judge Eoin Garavan adjourned sentencing until February 29, 2024.
