Colombia's biggest drug cartel linked to haul off Cork coast

It is understood the gang's intention was to load the consignment, using a crane on the MV Matthew, onto a trawler and land it in Ireland

The MV Matthew berthed at Marino Point, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Colombia’s biggest drug cartel and an Albanian-led European criminal consortium are the top suspects for the largest-ever cocaine seizure in Irish waters, the Irish Examiner understands.

The 2.25 tonnes of cocaine was found onboard a 190m bulk cargo vessel, believed to be owned by the infamous Gulf Clan cartel in Colombia, off the Cork coast on Tuesday.