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Irish Examiner
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Iran, Hezbollah, and the Kinahans in league to bring tonnes of cocaine through Ireland
Iran and the Lebanese terrorist group it funds, Hezbollah, worked with the Kinahan cartel in a foiled plot to traffic more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine through Irish waters, authorities believe. Direct links between Hezbollah and the two Iranians sentenced on Friday for their involvement in a drug trafficking operation on the MV Matthew, the interception of which led to the biggest seizure of cocaine in the history of the State, are also suspected. Saied Hassani, 39, a third officer with significant sea faring experience and the former captain of the MV Matthew, Soheil Jelveh, 51, are believed to have direct links to the terror group Hezbollah. The voice directing operations on the MV Matthew remotely from Dubai, known in Signal and WhatsApp groups used by the crew as 'Captain Noah', named in court as Mehdi Bordbar, who is believed to be a UAE resident, is also believed to have direct links to Hezbollah. Mehdi Bordbar is believed to be alive in the Middle East and international investigations are now underway into his potential involvement in transnational organized crime. Venezuela, the South American country which the MV Matthew set sail from and off the coast of which its cocaine cargo was loaded by armed men at night, is also believed to have strong links to Iran, with its anti-US and anti-West ideology, and Hezbollah, the militant group it funds. Dave Caunter, Director of organized and emerging crime Interpol, Captain Darragh Kirwan, Head of Neval services Operations Command, Angela Willis, Assistant Commissioner organized and serious crime, Ruth Kennedy, Revenue and Sjoerd Top, Executive Director Maritime Analysis and Operation Centre – Narcotics (MAOC (N). Picture: Dan Linehan Gardaí are also now investigating the two 'persons of interest' identified by gardaí as travelling to Castletownbere in West Cork and buying the Castlemore shipping vessel for some €300,0000, the money sent to Ireland from Dubai. When this fishing boat ran aground off the Wexford coast in September 2023, it precipitated the collapse of the major drug trafficking operation. The Castlemore was to collect cocaine from the MV Matthew off the Irish coast in September 2023. But its wifi malfunctioned, its engine failed, and it ran aground on a notorious sandbank in stormy seas. Its two crew members were rescued by helicopter before being arrested. On Friday, eight men were sentenced to a combined 129 years in prison for their role in the drug trafficking operation. They are Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, who was said to be the 'eyes and ears' of the cartel on board the MV Matthew and was described in court as a 'malign force'; Iranians Soheil Jelveh, 51, and Saeid Hassani, 39; Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31; Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, both 32; and Vitaliy Lapa, aged 62; and UK national Jamie Harbron. Justice Melanie Greally accepted that none of the accused were operating in the higher echelons of the organised crime group which was directing the operation remotely. But they were 'committed to the success of the venture'. And maritime drug trafficking cannot take place without the expertise of experienced seafarers, which most of the men were, Justice Greally said. The Kinahan cartel is believed to be one of multiple organised crime groups involved in the MV Matthew operation. An operation of that scale would involve multiple crime groups and entities, Assistant Commissioner Angela Willis, head of organised and serious crime with An Garda Síochána, said. The financing of the operation is being investigated transnationally, she said, but it was 'reasonable to assume' that the Kinahan organized crime group was involved. Now that eight men have been sentenced for their involvement, the next phase of the investigation is underway, looking at other people in Ireland and abroad. It will also look at asset recovery for those involved. 'These are transglobal networks, they can interchange between each other. 'So we're looking at a number of transglobal potentials.' Speaking in Haulbowline at a press briefing on the record cocaine seizure after eight men were sentenced to some 129 years in jail for their involvement in the drug smuggling operation, Ast Chief Commissioner Willis said: 'Transnational organised crime groups know no borders. They prey on people's vulnerability for their own financial gain. People are dispensable and expendable when no longer of use to the criminal organization. Life is cheap and protecting their core criminal interests, which is money, is their key priority. To any person who consumes illegal, controlled drugs in a recreational setting, you are the ones funding these criminal organisations, you are directly linked to the misery and the suffering criminal organisations inflict on our communities. 'An Garda Síochána along with our national and international partners will never waiver in our determination to disrupt, degrade and dismantle these criminal organisations, with the ultimate aim to bring those responsible for addiction and death to justice.' Representatives from the Joint Task Force that intercepted the MV Matthew and uncovered the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the State, were at Haulbowline naval base in Cork today, with gardaí, the navy and revenue commissioners present. Representatives from Interpol and the maritime drug dismantling body MAOC-N also attended.
The Irish Sun
04-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Plot to nail Irish mobsters ‘higher up chain' in mega €157m coke swoop amid new suspect details after 8 underlings caged
GARDAI are working to nail the Irish gangsters involved in the attempt to smuggle €157 million of cocaine into the country as their underlings were locked up for a combined 129 years. The eight men involved in the massive botched drug trafficking operation were handed down sentences of 13.5 to 20 years at the 7 The MV Matthew was stormed leading to Ireland's record seizure of the drug Credit: Alamy Live News 7 Some €157 million of cocaine was found Credit: Gardai 7 The major operation took place in September 2023 Credit: Irish Defence Forces This includes an Irish suspect who helped acquire the second ship which was planned to meet He also issued the two men in charge of this 'sistership', named The Castlemore, with instructions using the handle 'Rain Man' on messaging groups. It's understood that this man fled to READ MORE IN NEWS A source told The Irish Sun: 'There are a number of individuals involved who worked higher up in the operation. 'A cell structure was used to specifically protect those people. But the gardai's investigations into them are very much ongoing.' The 2.2 tonnes of coke were intercepted and seized in September 2023 by a joint garda, Revenue and The six men onboard the MV Matthew, a Panamanian cargo ship, were hired in Dubai by a transnational organised Most read in Irish News They then flew to The MV Matthew ignored instructions from the LE William Butler Yeats naval vessel five times before it was stormed by Irish Navy Rangers on September 26 that year. Moment MV Matthew is lead to shore to be impounded after Irish Army Rangers storm container ship The original plan was that the MV Matthew would deliver the drugs to the second ship, the Castlemore. But rough seas and a number of difficulties caused the vessel to miss the connection and later to run aground on the coast of Wexford. The six on the MV Matthew all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply between 24 and 26 September 2023. At sentencing, He was in communication with his bosses in the UAE every two to three days and was set to get a €50,000 bonus if they were successful. 7 Cumali Ozgen was caged for 20 years Credit: ProVision 7 Soheil Jelveh was handed down a 17.5 year sentence Credit: Journalist Collect Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, was caged for 18 years after he engaged with the coast guard on the MV Matthew saying they would comply with orders to head towards He also ordered for the The Iranian captain of the ship and qualified maritime engineer Soheil Jelveh was He feigned an injury and was winched by the He had two suitcases, four phones including a satellite mobile and $53,298 in cash when taken away. 'VIGOROUS ATTEMPTS TO EVADE' Ukrainian Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, who made 'vigorous attempts to evade' authorities on the boat as well as destroy drugs for criminal organisation was His fellow countryman Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, received 14 years' imprisonment after he admitted to moving the drugs on board the ship as he claimed he was 'following instructions', but cops accept he knew the least about the overall operation. Saeid Hassani, 40, who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on the boat the Castlemore that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. 'MESSAGE IS CLEAR' Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14.5 years while Jamie Harbron, 31, from Billingham in the UK, got 13.5 years. Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau said: 'To those involved in drug trafficking the message is clear, the full force of the Irish State supported by our international partners is against you. 'The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, the Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure.' 7 Vitaliy Vlasoi made vigorous attempts to evade authorities 7 Mykhalio Gavryk was jailed for 14 years Credit: 2023 PA Media, All Rights Reserved
The Independent
04-07-2025
- The Independent
Eight men jailed for involvement in Ireland's largest ever drugs haul
Eight men have received prison sentences in relation to Ireland's largest ever drugs seizure, which was made after Irish soldiers dramatically intercepted a cargo ship two years ago. They received sentences varying in length from 13 and a half years to 20 years for their involvement. More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth around 157 million euro (£132 million) was found aboard the MV Matthew after the ship was stormed by Irish troops in September 2023. The drugs were seized after the Irish Army Ranger Wing boarded the vessel in a daring operation conducted while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine as part of a massive drug trafficking operation. Six of the men arrested on board the MV Matthew all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023. At sentencing on Friday, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, received a sentence of 20 years, while the second officer, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, received a sentence of 18 years. The captain of the vessel, Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, received 17 and a half years in prison. Ukrainian nationals Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, received a 16-and-a-half-year sentence and Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, received 14 years' imprisonment. Saeid Hassani, 40, who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on the boat the Castlemore that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14 and a half years. Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, received a sentence of 13 and a half years in prison. Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly from An Garda Siochana said the sentences provide a 'clear message' that Ireland is 'not a soft target' for international organised crime networkers. 'To those involved in drug trafficking, the message is clear that the full force of the Irish state, supported by our international partners, is against you,' he told reporters outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. 'The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, the Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure. 'Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities, not only in Ireland but throughout the world. Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer but all the other countries that they operate in as well.' Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly noted the work of the joint task force, which includes An Garda Siochana, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service supported by other arms of the Irish Defence Forces including the Army Ranger Wing and Air Corps.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Yahoo
Eight men jailed for involvement in Ireland's largest ever drugs haul
Eight men have received prison sentences in relation to Ireland's largest ever drugs seizure, which was made after Irish soldiers dramatically intercepted a cargo ship two years ago. They received sentences varying in length from 13 and a half years to 20 years for their involvement. More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth around 157 million euro (£132 million) was found aboard the MV Matthew after the ship was stormed by Irish troops in September 2023. The drugs were seized after the Irish Army Ranger Wing boarded the vessel in a daring operation conducted while the crew attempted to steer the ship to high seas. Eight men admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine as part of a massive drug trafficking operation. Six of the men arrested on board the MV Matthew all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023. At sentencing on Friday, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 49, received a sentence of 20 years, while the second officer, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, received a sentence of 18 years. The captain of the vessel, Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, received 17 and a half years in prison. Ukrainian nationals Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, received a 16-and-a-half-year sentence and Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, received 14 years' imprisonment. Saeid Hassani, 40, who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on the boat the Castlemore that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14 and a half years. Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, received a sentence of 13 and a half years in prison. Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly from An Garda Siochana said the sentences provide a 'clear message' that Ireland is 'not a soft target' for international organised crime networkers. 'To those involved in drug trafficking, the message is clear that the full force of the Irish state, supported by our international partners, is against you,' he told reporters outside the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin. 'The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, the Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure. 'Transnational organised crime gangs cause misery to communities, not only in Ireland but throughout the world. Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer but all the other countries that they operate in as well.' Detective Superintendent Joe O'Reilly noted the work of the joint task force, which includes An Garda Siochana, the Revenue Customs Service and the Naval Service supported by other arms of the Irish Defence Forces including the Army Ranger Wing and Air Corps.
BreakingNews.ie
04-07-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Eight men jailed over Ireland's largest ever cocaine seizure
The six men caught onboard the MV Matthew with Ireland's largest-ever drugs seizure and two others who attempted to take the illicit load onboard a second vessel in the Irish Sea have been jailed for a combined 129 years. More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth around €157 million was found aboard the MV Matthew after the ship was stormed by Defence Forces soldiers in September 2023. Advertisement The Special Criminal Court heard that a number of the crew had been hired by an international organised crime group in Dubai to crew the Panamanian-registered bulk carrier. Eight men had admitted their roles in trying to smuggle cocaine as part of a massive drug trafficking operation. At sentencing on Friday, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (49) received a sentence of 20 years, while Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) received a sentence of 18 years. The captain of the vessel, Iranian Soheil Jelveh (51), received 17-and-a-half years in prison. Advertisement Ukrainians Vitaliy Vlasoi (32) received a 16-and-a-half-year sentence and Mykhailo Gavryk, also 32, received 14 years imprisonment. Saeid Hassani (40), who was the third officer, received a 15-year sentence. Two other men, who were on a boat that had been purchased in Castletownbere to collect drugs from the main vessel, were also sentenced for attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (62), with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, received a sentence of 14 and a half years. Advertisement Jamie Harbron (31), of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK, received a sentence of 13-an-a-half years in prison. The court previously heard that while the MV Matthew was sailing under the flag of Panama, it was owned by a Dubai-based company known as 'Symphony Marine'. It departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ireland From the Caribbean to Cork: The journey of cocaine... Read More The court also heard that an organised crime group in Dubai instructed the crew of the MV Matthew as it attempted to evade law enforcement and deliver the drugs to an Irish vessel. Despite repeated warnings from the Irish Navy, including warning shots fired from the LE William Butler Yeats, the person overseeing the operation told the crew to keep going and head for a safe port in Sierra Leone. The original plan was that the MV Matthew would deliver the drugs to a second ship, the Castlemore, but rough seas and technical difficulties caused the Irish vessel to miss the connection and later to run aground. More to follow...
