Ireland Seizes Largest-Ever €157 Million Cocaine Haul
Irish police have carried out a successful operation, confiscating over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of approximately €157 million. This marks the largest drug seizure in the country's history, as reported by RTE.
According to the television and radio network RTE, the vessel MV Matthew, which was apprehended, is currently undergoing a search and examination in Cork Port. The police are actively questioning the 25 crew members and detaining three individuals.
Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly stated that the narcotics originated from South American cocaine cartels, and various organized criminal groups in Ireland, the UK, and Europe, with direct ties to South America, had joined forces for drug distribution.
"No large consignment like this enters our ports or transits our country without the involvement of an Irish criminal group," said Justin Kelly.
The Commander of the Irish Naval Service's Military-Marshal described the vessel's apprehension as an extremely complex military operation. Adverse weather conditions and prior actions by criminal groups complicated the vessel's capture.
During the operation, the Naval Service fired warning shots as the commercial vessel refused to comply with orders, ultimately leading to the successful apprehension.
The MV Matthew is a large vessel, measuring 190 meters in length with a high deck, making it challenging to board. The Commander noted that, under better weather conditions, they could have deployed an boarding team, but circumstances required them to call in army rangers, who swiftly took control of the vessel.
Recently in Spain, there were also reports of the apprehension of members of the "Balkan cartel" and the seizure of 700 kilograms of cocaine. Last week, the Spanish police announced the confiscation of a "record-breaking" 9.5-tonne cocaine shipment concealed among banana crates.
Jerry Garrahill, the Director-General of the Revenue and Customs Enforcement Department, revealed that, during the operation, provisions of the 2015 Customs Act were applied for the first time, allowing the use of military forces to detain the vessel.