Eight men have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a failed attempt to smuggle 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth more than €157 million (£135 million), aboard a Panamanian-registered cargo ship off the Irish coast.
The seizure, made in September 2023, was the largest in Irish history and involved a daring military operation in treacherous sea conditions.
The MV Matthew, which had sailed from Curaçao off the coast of Venezuela, was intercepted in Irish waters by the Irish Navy and Defence Forces, with Army Rangers abseiling onto the ship. Six of the eight men sentenced had been on board the vessel. Dutch national Cumali Ozgen received the longest sentence of 20 years, followed by Filipino Harold Estoesta (18 years), Iranian Soheil Jelveh (17.5 years), Ukrainian Vitaliy Vlasoi (16.5 years), Iranian Saeid Hassani (15 years), and Ukrainian Mykhailo Gavryk (14 years).
Two other men, UK national Jamie Harbron (13.5 years) and Ukrainian Vitaliy Lapa (14.5 years), were sentenced for their roles after being rescued from a trawler that ran aground while preparing to rendezvous with the Matthew. All eight men pleaded guilty to charges relating to the possession of cocaine for sale or supply.
Ireland’s Special Criminal Court described the smuggling attempt as part of a cartel operation with “international reach and unlimited resources.” The court heard that Ozgen, known as “Jimmy,” acted as the “eyes and ears” of the criminal group aboard the ship. He admitted to loading the crates of cocaine and attempting to burn them when the naval vessel LE William Butler Yeats pursued the ship. Ozgen was reportedly promised €50,000 to €100,000 for his role but received nothing.
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