Drug yacht detained in joint Irish & UK security operation

THE Irish Defence Forces, Irish Navy and Irish Air Corps were yesterday involved in the detention of a yacht containing drugs.

The seizure came after a surveillance operation on the south coast with Irish and Uk-based personnel working together.

The quantity or the type of drugs seized was not revealed last night as officers said a “thorough port inspection” would be carried out first.

A spokesman added: “Defence Forces Naval & Air Corps assets have taken part in a Maritime Analysis Operations Centre co-ordinated operation at sea.

“It has led to the detention of a yacht, NOMAD, by UK Border Force.

“The Inter Agency operation included an Irish Naval vessel and an Irish Air Corps Maritime Patrol Aircraft that conducted a surveillance operation off the South Coast prior to the detention.

“The detained vessel was boarded and detained by the UK Border Force in UK waters as part of a UK National Crime Agency coordinated operation.

“MAOC-N & the UK NCA will confirm the quantity and type of contraband found on the vessel once a thorough port inspection has been completed.”

MAOC-N is an initiative by seven EU Member Countries – France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Portugal and the UK – with financial support from the Prevention against Crime Programme of the EU.