The largest drug bust in Ireland's history occurred off the coast of Cork in the southeast of the country. Irish law enforcement seized a staggering 2,253 kg of cocaine with an estimated value of 157 million euros ($165 million) from the vessel "MV Matthew," which had traveled from South America.
This historic seizure was announced at a news conference in Dublin.
Justin Kelly, Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, Ireland's police force, described this operation as "hugely significant" and emphasized their unwavering commitment to disrupting drug networks attempting to infiltrate the country.
The drugs, originating from South America, were destined for criminal organizations in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
Three individuals, aged 31, 50, and 60, were arrested on suspicion of organized crime and are currently undergoing questioning at Garda stations in County Wexford. The successful operation involved a task force comprising members of the Irish Revenue Customs Service, the navy, and An Garda Síochána, all working in coordination.
The arrest and seizure operation, carried out in challenging weather conditions, involved the Irish Defence Forces deploying soldiers via helicopters to secure the vessel. Subsequently, the task force members were transferred aboard the naval ship and escorted to Cork harbor, where the seized vessel is undergoing forensic examination.
Tony Geraghty, fleet commander of the Irish Naval Service, acknowledged the complexity of the military operation, highlighting the adverse weather conditions and the need to anticipate the actions of various crime gangs.
Despite these challenges, the operation was deemed highly successful from a defense force perspective.
The intelligence-led operation was conducted in collaboration with the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre - Narcotics (MAOC-N) based in Lisbon. MAOC-N is an initiative involving seven EU member countries and is supported by the European Union.
In another news, a man who spent nearly three decades behind bars for rape, kidnapping, and robbery has been declared innocent and released, as revealed by Los Angeles County prosecutors. See detailed story here
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