Ireland's Record-Breaking Drug Seizure Worth Over $165M Leaves Law Enforcement Stunned
Ireland makes history with record-breaking drug haul worth over $165M seized off Cork coast, marking a monumental achievement in law enforcement
Irish police announced that the largest drug seizure in Ireland's history took place off the coast of Cork in the southeast of the country on Tuesday.
At a news conference in Dublin on Wednesday, Director General of Revenue and Customs Gerry Harrahill revealed that a staggering 2,253 kg of cocaine, with an approximate value of 157 million euros ($165 million), was confiscated from the vessel "MV Matthew" during its journey from South America.
"This marks the most extensive confiscation of drugs ever recorded in the State," stated Justin Kelly, Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Ireland's police force, during the conference.
"This operation carries immense importance, highlighting our unwavering commitment to impede and dismantle drug trafficking networks targeting our nation," Kelly further asserted.
According to a press release from Garda, three individuals aged 31, 50, and 60 have been apprehended under suspicion of engaging in organized crime. Currently, they are being interrogated at Garda stations in County Wexford.
The authorities have disclosed that the narcotics in question were sourced from South America with the intention of being distributed to criminal organizations across Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the drug seizure was the largest in Ireland's history.
In the early hours of Tuesday, a coordinated effort involving the Irish Revenue Customs Service, the navy, and An Garda Síochána resulted in the detention of a Panamanian registered bulk cargo vessel, as stated in the Garda press release.
The Irish Defence Forces shared a video on X, previously known as Twitter, depicting the army fast-roping from a helicopter onto the deck amidst adverse weather conditions. This occurred while the vessel was trying to exit Irish waters. Once the army secured the vessel, members of the task force were transferred onboard and accompanied by a naval ship to Cork harbor. Currently, the vessel is undergoing forensic examination.
The Garda Síochána, under the direction of the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB), is spearheading an investigation with significant international implications. The inquiry revolves around suspicions of cocaine importation into Europe and specifically Ireland, originating from South America. The GNDOCB suspects that an organized criminal group aimed to smuggle up to half a tonne of cocaine into Ireland.
Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau
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"At the Dublin press briefing, Tony Geraghty, fleet commander of the Irish Naval Service, described yesterday as a day of great military complexity. The defense forces executed a highly intricate military operation, further challenged by uncontrollable factors. Adverse weather conditions added to the complexity, along with the task of anticipating the actions of multiple criminal groups and assessing their potential impact on us. Nevertheless, the operation proved to be a resounding success from the standpoint of the defense forces."
The Garda press release stated that the collaborative intelligence-led operation took place with assistance from the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N) located in Lisbon. MAOC-N is an initiative funded by the European Union and consists of seven EU member countries, namely France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal, and the UK.
