COKE HAUL WILL GO UP IN SMOKE
Second ship of suspected drugs seized in Atlantic
THE 2.2-tonne cocaine haul seized from the MV Matthew is to be incinerated as soon as the court cases against those allegedly involved in the operation are concluded.
The revelation comes as a second vessel loaded with suspected cocaine destined for the European market was seized in the mid Atlantic.
Like the bulk carrier intercepted during the week by the Irish authorities, the ocean-going fishing boat ‘Mathieu’ was caught smuggling cocaine from South America.
It has now emerged the cocaine shipment removed from the Matthew, now docked in Cork, will be burned in an incinerator.
The uncut cocaine, which has an estimated street value of €500million, was brought under armed guard last Wednesday to a Dublin storage facility.
Tests are still being carried out on the haul to determine the purity of the cocaine, which in turn could increase its potential street value.
The drugs taken from the 28,000 tonne bulk carrier was originally estimated to be worth in the region of €157million, but that could be as high as €500million if it is as pure as some previous shipments.
It is believed the Panamanianregistered Matthew is worth around €10million, and it is likely the State will issue a forfeiture notice against the owners and then auction it off – with the proceeds going to the Exchequer.
A detailed search of the ship will likely take several more days and could involve sections of the interior being taken apart, as it is feared there could be hidden compartments.
Two men appeared in court on Friday charged with conspiracy to import drugs. Yesterday, gardai released one man without charge while five remain in custody under Section 50 Criminal Justice Act, 2007.
In a separate operation, the fishing vessel ‘Mathieu’ was intercepted on the high seas as it made its way to Europe.
But it is likely that there is a connection between the two, as it is believed the fishing boat set sail from Guyana, where the MV Matthew was anchored several days before heading for Ireland. The international operation involved the DEA, the Spanish Navy and Portuguese police.