Pair played 'essential part' in 'highly professional international drug-trafficking operation', court told

The two men deny having the 2.2 tonnes of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew

The MV Matthew at Marino Point, Cobh, Co Cork. Up to 2.25 tonnes of cocaine was seized from the vessel. Picture: Dan Linehan

Two men who have gone on trial at the Special Criminal Court after the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history played an "essential part" in a "very sophisticated, complex and highly professional international drug-trafficking operation," the State alleges.

The court heard on Tuesday how the cargo ship carrying the 2.2 tonnes of cocaine attempted to evade capture but was followed "in hot pursuit" by the navy patrol vessel LE William Butler Yeats, with the chase concluding when members of the Army Rangers were inserted by the Air Corps and took control of the crew.