Drugs seizure 'could be worth half a billion euro'

Today’s cocaine seizure off the south west coast could be worth as much as €500m, it has been revealed.

“A substantial quantity of suspect packages of what is believed to be cocaine with an estimated street value of approx €500m, subject to forensic analysis, have been detected onboard the yacht and are being brought to an Irish port for examination by customs and Garda officers,” said a statement from The Defence Forces.

“The operation is expected to continue for some time.

“The boarding operation was undertaked by naval boarding teams in adverse weather conditions and was executed expeditiously. Three males between the ages of 44 and 52 are currently in garda custody and the investigation is continuing.”

Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern today congratulated the Drugs Joint Task Force on the operation.

The operation was a coordinated effort by An Garda Síochána, the Customs Service, and the Naval Service working in conjunction with our European partners at the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) in Lisbon.

Ireland was a founding member of the Lisbon Centre in 2007 and Garda and Customs Liaison Officers are based at the centre.

The Minister said: “Earlier this week I opened an organised crime policing seminar in Northern Ireland where the theme was success through partnership. Today we have another practical and successful example of different agencies working closely together, sharing intelligence and achieving a fantastic result.”