Rosalind Evans
In an unprecedented move, Irish authorities made the largest drug bust in the nation’s history, intercepting it off Cork’s southeastern coast on Tuesday, as reported by the Irish police.
The vessel “MV Matthew,” originating from South America, was found to carry a staggering 2,253 kg of cocaine valued at approximately 157 million euros ($165 million). The announcement was made by Gerry Harrahill, the Director General of Revenue and Customs, during a press event in Dublin.
Describing the gravity of the situation, Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Justin Kelly, emphasized, “This stands as the most significant drug apprehension in our nation’s chronicles.” He further praised the operation saying, “This operation showcases our relentless pursuit to counteract drug networks aiming to infiltrate our shores.”
Three individuals, aged 31, 50, and 60, are now in custody, under suspicion of their association with organized crime. Their interrogations are ongoing at Garda facilities in County Wexford, as per the latest Garda updates.
The narcotics were intended for criminal factions within Ireland, the UK, and the broader European region, as deduced by the officials. The apprehension resulted from a concerted effort involving the Irish Revenue Customs Service, the Navy, and An Garda Síochána. They successfully halted the Panamanian-flagged bulk cargo ship early Tuesday.
Footage released by the Irish Defence Forces, available on X (previously known as Twitter), captures an intense scene: army personnel swiftly descending from a helicopter onto the ship’s deck amidst tumultuous weather, thwarting its escape from Irish jurisdiction.
Once the ship was secured, the collaborative task force boarded and, under naval escort, directed it to Cork Harbour for detailed forensic scrutiny.
Reflecting on the operation’s intricacies, Tony Geraghty, fleet commander of the Irish Naval Service, shared at the Dublin news conference, “The operation, undoubtedly intricate from a military standpoint, faced added challenges from unpredictable elements like the weather and potential moves of the involved criminal gangs. Yet, the defence forces executed it flawlessly.”
Notably, this operation’s success stemmed from intelligence-sharing and collaboration with the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N) located in Lisbon. The MAOC-N initiative is supported by seven EU nations: France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK, and receives funding from the European Union.
This monumental drug bust underscores the seamless collaboration and unwavering dedication of international forces working to combat the narcotics trade. By thwarting such a significant shipment bound for Europe’s shores, Irish authorities protected their citizens and sent a clear message to drug traffickers: The combined vigilance and resources of European nations will persistently challenge their illicit endeavours.
