Search for two drugs fugitives intensifies

THE Mizen peninsula was sealed off yesterday in the hunt for two smugglers linked to one of Europe’s biggest drugs hauls.

Up to 40 gardaí backed up by armed detective and the Garda sniffer dog unit scoured fields in the Toormore area near Schull in Co Cork as the net closed in on the fugitives, on the run since Monday’s botched drugs run.

Locals reported seeing a man running through fields at about 9am. It is believed he is one of two men — one with long hair, one with short hair and both in their mid-40s — who are linked to attempts to smuggle up to €105 million worth of cocaine in through Dunlough Bay, north of Mizen, on Monday.

The cocaine, packed into 60 bales, was pitched into the Atlantic after a dinghy transferring it to shore from a mother vessel during a so-called coopering operation capsized in heavy seas.

Gardaí believe the larger vessel — either a yacht or a converted ocean-going trawler — shipped the consignment into Irish waters early on Monday and linked up with the dinghy.

Interpol and Europol joined the investigation yesterday.

Detective Superintendent Tony Quilter, who is leading the investigation, declined to speculate on its origins or the route it may have taken since. But it is understood the drugs originated in South America and that the vessel may have come from the Caribbean, via Spain, before conducting the failed coopering operation.

Gardaí believe the men on the run were waiting on shore for the dinghy to land the drugs.

The Garda helicopter, which has infra-red heat seeking cameras, conducted several low-level sweeps of fields around Goleen and Schull throughout the morning as gardaí on the ground combed outhouses and derelict buildings. All main access roads to the peninsula were sealed off and checkpoints set up.

Gardaí declined to comment on reports that the men may have been living in Goleen for some time before the operation. They are believed to be English nationals with Irish links.

A 22-year-old in Garda custody under drug trafficking legislation has an address in Co Monaghan and was not known to gardaí.

The man in his mid 40s who is still in a comfortable condition in hospital is understood to be an English national.

The recovered cocaine bales were put displayed in Bantry Garda Station yesterday afternoon.

Some had been opened for preliminary investigations but detailed forensic examinations of the rest of the haul will not take place for several days.

Each bale contains 25 separate one kilogram packages of cocaine powder measuring about 10 inches by five. Each package has a street value of at least €70,000.

Each package of powder was wrapped in dark-coloured buoyant rubber and wrapped tightly in see-through plastic.

The 25 packages were then stuffed into 60 large mesh-like bags, each with a large handle.

And just after 5pm, the 61st bale arrived at the station after it was recovered from the base of steep cliffs near Goleen. Further sea searches are planned today.

Meanwhile, the mother and son who raised the alarm on Monday morning when the 22-year-old knocked on their door after swimming ashore, are said to be shocked at how events have unfolded.

Supt Quilter appealed for anyone with information or those who may have seen anything suspicious inrecent days to conduct Bantry Garda Station on 027-20860.