Four men to be sent for trial in connection with Ireland’s biggest drugs seizure

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

Four men who were arrested in connection with the biggest drugs haul in the history of the State are to be sent forward for trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Iranian Saeid Hassani, 37, Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 48, and Ukrainians Vitaliy Vlasoi, 31 and Mykhalo Gavryk, 30 appeared by video link from Cork Prison before Judge Colm Roberts at Mallow District Court. All observed proceedings through interpreters.

The men are 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. 

They are also charged with conspiracy to have in their 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.

Saeid Hassani. Picture: Dan Linehan

The charges relate to the seizure of more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of more than €157m that was discovered aboard the MV Matthew off the Co Cork coast in September 2023.

Acting for the State, Sergeant Majella O’Sullivan told the court directions had been received from the Director of Public Prosecutions and all four are to face prosecution on indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court following the preparation of a book of evidence.

Don Ryan, solicitor for Saeid Hassani, said he was aware some documents had already been made available to some of the accused and asked if the same courtesy could be extended to his client as they would require translation into Farsi. 

Vitaliy Vlasoi. Picture: Dan Linehan

He added it was expected legal representatives for the accused would be able to access the MV Matthew for examination purposes within the next two weeks.

Judge Roberts said the disclosure of evidence was a matter for the prosecution and there was a six-week period allowed to prepare the book of evidence. 

He added April 23 was the date “we are aiming for” to serve the book of evidence. He thanked Mr Hassani for his patience and agreed to adjourn his case for two weeks for him to appear by video link on March 26.

The three other accused were all remanded in custody to appear again by video link from Cork Prison on April 9 with the expectation of a further remand until April 23 when it was expected the book of evidence would be served. 

All requested via their legal representatives for the book of evidence to be translated and served electronically.

A fifth accused man, Filipino national Harold Estoesta, 30, is also due to stand trial — he was remanded in custody last week and is also awaiting the book of evidence.