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Over €150m Worth Of Drugs Found On Cargo Ship Off South Coast

Wednesday, 27 September 2023 13:15

Photo Credit: Defence Forces Twitter: MV Matthew

It's the biggest drug seizure in the State's history.

Gardaí estimate €157m worth of drugs were found aboard a cargo ship off the south coast.

It's the largest drugs seizure in the history of the State.

The cocaine has been removed from the MV Matthew, which was detained at gunpoint by Army Rangers.

Gardaí say about 25 people were on board, but cannot comment on the possibility of further arrests.

Assistant Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly explains where the drugs came from:

Former Army Ranger and Kildare South Independent TD Cathal Berry says the Naval Service fired shots while the Army Rangers fast-roped onto the deck to take control of the ship:

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheal Martin says the operation is linked to the wider international crackdown on drugs trafficking:

All of the crew onboard the cargo ship at the centre of a major drugs haul in Cork will be interviewed by Gardaí.

Onboard, they discovered over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine.

The vessel is the mothership of a fishing trawler that became stranded off the coast of Wexford on Sunday.

Three men are currently in Garda custody - with Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly suggesting more arrests are possible:

 

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