EBN – In a historic drug bust, Irish authorities have seized over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine aboard a Panama-registered cargo ship.
This operation marks the largest drug seizure in the country’s history and is estimated to be worth €157 million.
Two individuals, one from the UK and another from Ukraine, have been charged with conspiracy to import drugs in connection with this operation.
The dramatic events unfolded when the Irish navy intercepted the freighter “MV Matthew” off the coast of Cork.
During the operation, investigators discovered a significant cocaine haul believed to originate from a Colombian cartel.
Continental Connections
This crime organisation is believed to have intentions to reach continental Europe.
The situation took an unexpected turn when a fishing boat, attempting to recover cargo from the ship, ran aground on a sandbank off Ireland’s southeast coast, leading to the rescue of the two accused men.
Furthermore, five more individuals from Iran, Ukraine, and the Netherlands were apprehended after the seizure
This incident adds to a series of major drug busts across Europe this year.
Indeed, this shows the continent’s heightened efforts to combat drug trafficking, particularly from Latin America.
Unravelling Cocaine Empires
Earlier this year, Dutch customs confiscated an astonishing eight tonnes of cocaine from Ecuador, valued at approximately €600 million.
Spain also made headlines in the fight against drug smuggling, intercepting a nine-ton consignment of packaged cocaine hidden within banana shipments from Ecuador.
Notably, these packages bore various brand names and even Nazi symbols, indicating the involvement of multiple organised crime groups.
These incidents shed light on the increasingly close collaboration between European criminal organisations and South American cocaine manufacturers.
In turn, this reveals the complex web of international drug trade networks.
Estimates suggest that the continental cocaine market alone is valued at around €10.5 billion annually.
This further underscores the immense challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in curbing this global menace.
