asked the Minister for Finance when goods seized by customs and excise officials from persons (details supplied) in County Kildare will be returned to those persons since they provided receipts for them; the cost of the raid; and if he will make a statement on the general policy of seizing goods when receipts are provided to officials.
Written Answers. - Seizure of Goods.
23.
I am informed by the Revenue Commissioners that on 19 December 1987 customs officers obtained two search warrants and searched the premises of the persons in question. A quantity of goods of non-State origin was found in each case. One of the persons involved claimed ownership of all the goods but was unable to produce any documents relating to them. In the absence of evidence that duty had been paid on the goods they were seized. On 21 December 1987 the owner produced invoices relating to the purchase of certain goods in the State. He claimed that these invoices related to some of the seized goods. After completion of inquiries, the Commissioners are prepared to accept this claim, and to release the goods which can be related to the invoices. The owner has produced no evidence in regard to the remainder of the goods. The Commissioners are not satisfied that duty has been paid on these goods, and they have been advised that the evidence supports forfeiture of these goods under the Customs Acts.
The customs officers involved in the seizures are attached to the special patrol unit based in Dublin and the search of premises was carried out as a normal part of their daily work. No additional costs were involved.
Goods are not seized if the customs officer is satisfied that the receipts produced are genuine. Where goods are seized and satisfactory documentary evidence of their duty paid status is subsequently produced the goods are returned to the owner. In the case in question no documents were produced at the time of seizure.