Gardaí probe link between West Cork raid and Danish drugs haul

Gardaí do not rule out a link between a massive drugs find in Denmark and the apparent drug trafficking logistics operation which was broken up in Cork last week

People in the quiet West Cork village of Leap witnessed a major garda operation last week. Picture: social media

Gardaí are investigating whether there is any link between a massive cocaine seizure in Denmark and the suspected drugs smuggling operation intercepted by gardaí on the West Cork coast last week.

Several cocaine-filled bags and packages have been discovered washed up over recent days near the town of Sjællands Odde in Denmark.

That came just days after what gardaí believe could have been a foiled international drug smuggling operation attempting to land up to €1bn of drugs on the West Cork coast.

It is believed the discovery in Denmark weighed at least 840kg.

As news of the Danish seizure emerged, there was speculation of a link between the operation in Cork and the drugs haul 1,400km away in Scandinavia.

It is believed the gang arrested in West Cork were trying to land between 1.5 to two tonnes of 90% of pure cocaine to make it viable.

Wetsuits and diving gear were recovered by gardaí as part of the operation.

Gardaí also seized several mobile phones and electronic devices, including GPS devices, which are the subject of extensive forensic examination.

The men in custody range in age from mid 20s to mid-50s. They include six Spanish men, two Serbs, two Dutch men, and one man who is believed to have Iranian heritage or links to that country.

The Irish Naval Service is analysing shipping tracking data of certain vessels which were off the south west coast in recent days.

A garda source said any link between the drugs haul in Denmark and the West Cork incident is unlikely.

However, they stressed that all possibilities will still be explored.

“It would be foolish if there wasn’t some conversation taking place through international units but as regards whether there is anything specific to link it back to this, at the moment there doesn’t seem to be,” the source said.

“No direct connection has been established.

“Obviously, there will be that ongoing liaison and information sharing which happens once a consignment of drugs like that washes up and we need to establish where it was heading for and what was happening with it.

“At the moment there is nothing that would directly link it back with ourselves.

“There are no tides or currents that might bring it up to the coast of Denmark. It was obviously dropped closer to where it washed up.

“There is no natural way for it to float. Something that heavy won’t float that far. As it stands, this remains a mystery.”