Man charged in connection with State's biggest drugs seizure further remanded in custody

He is one of five men facing charges after some 2.25 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of more then €157 million was seized from the MV Matthew, off the Cork coast in September

Harold Estoesta was arrested aboard the MV Matthew which was docked at Marino Point in Cork Harbour last October. File picture: Dan Linehan

A man charged in connection with the biggest cocaine seizure in the history of the State was remanded in continued custody in Cork Prison on Tuesday.

Harold Estoesta, 30, who is from the Philippines appeared via videolink from Cork Prison. He was aided in court by a Filippino interpreter.

Sgt Linda O’Leary said that the case was in for Director of Public Prosecution directions and the trial would be on indictment.

Solicitor David O’Meara, standing in for solicitor Aiden Desmond, represented Mr Estoesta in Mallow District Court. He said that his client would consent to further remand in custody until March 26 via videolink for a book of evidence to be served.

Judge John King remanded him in continued custody until that date but said that the book of evidence would not be ready on that day.

Mr Estoesta saluted the court before leaving the videolink. Mr Estoesta previously told the district court that he was innocent, that he had been "tricked" and he deserved to be freed.

He was arrested aboard the MV Matthew which was docked at Marino Point in Cork Harbour last October.

The Filipino national, was charged with conspiracy to have in his possession, on September 24, cocaine for sale or supply in excess of €13,000 in contravention of Sections 5 and 15a of the Misuse of Drugs Act, 1977.

He was also charged with possession of cocaine for sale or supply with a value in excess of €13,000 in Irish waters and for possession of cocaine for sale or supply with a value in excess of €13,000 outside of Irish territorial waters.

He is one of five men facing these charges after some 2.25 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of more then €157 million was seized from the large bulk carrier ship, the MV Matthew, off the Cork coast in September.