‘Scots crime gang' masterminded shipment of £26million worth of cocaine into Ireland

Scottish Sun

a day ago

Cops believe the drugs haul was destined for the UK and European market and was transported to the suspects in a mother ship
COASTAL CRACKDOWN 'Scots crime gang' masterminded shipment of £26million worth of cocaine into Ireland
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A SCOTTISH crime gang masterminded the shipment of £26million worth of cocaine into Ireland, according to forces who smashed the plot.
And investigators are probing whether the mob had "logistical support" from transnational crime gangs based in Ireland.
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They were arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle £26m worth of cocaine into Ireland
Credit: Getty
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A probe has been launched to find out if the mob had 'logistical support' from transnational crime gangs based in Ireland
Credit: Crispin Rodwell - The Sun Dublin
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The Irish Navy were involved in the operation
Credit: Andy Gibson - The Sun Dublin
New details have emerged about the men accused of being involved in a cocaine plot to ship in a vast haul from South America to the UK.
We told how they were snared off the coast of County Cork after gun cops swooped on Tuesday.
Among four suspects taken into custody is a man, 40, from the Pollok area of Glasgow and a trawlerman, 39, from Keith, Moray.
Another suspect is a businessman, 44, from Cornwall, England and a German national, 31, from Bavaria.
A source told The Irish Sun: "These suspects are considered to be important cogs of this organised crime group.
"The Scottish gang are heavily involved in transnational drug trafficking, but this smuggling route is now dismantled.
The Scottish gang are heavily involved in transnational drug trafficking, but this smuggling route is now dismantled
A source told The Irish Sun
"Crime gangs are targeting fishermen and others who are corrupted by money and greed.
"There is no doubt that these individuals were critical enablers for this criminal organisation."
The four were lifted after a major op, which began with a surveillance investigation over the weekend.
Two of the suspects were lifted as they left in a van with the huge haul of drugs.
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The other two tried to escape on a boat, but were caught by the Navy.
Cops believe the drugs haul was destined for the UK and European market and was transported to the suspects in a mother ship.
The suspects can be held for a week.
We told how the seizure is the largest since the £135million nabbed on board the MV Matthew in September 2023, with eight of its crew set to be sentenced at the Special Criminal Court later this week.
A joint task force led by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau - which included Revenue, the Irish Naval Service and local cops - had monitored a number of men and vehicles for over 24 hours in the run-up to the seizure.
These suspects are considered to be important cogs of this organised crime group
A source told The Irish Sun
In recent weeks, senior Gardai in Cork have held briefings to discuss the threat posed by transnational drugs gangs over the summer months.
Although Europe's traditional drug networks have previously used the summer to transport shipments of cocaine across the Atlantic, they have also arranged shipments in late autumn and spring.
A source said: "The international gangs seem to be more brazen and their shipments are happening all year round now.
"They have vessels that can be used in adverse weather conditions.
"They also have access to RIBs that are faster than some of those used by the Irish Naval Service."
West Cork Fine Gael Senator Noel O'Donovan said: "This is a significant detection - the biggest drug bust in Ireland this year.'
A Gardai source added: "It was a hugely successful operation and should serve as a warning for international drug gangs targeting the Irish coastline."