Eight men jailed for 129 years after record €157m cocaine seizure off Cork coast
Eight men have been sentenced to a combined 129 years in prison for their role in a drug trafficking operation that resulted in the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the State.
Justice Melanie Greally initially imposed headline sentences totalling 203 years at the Special Criminal Court today, but reduced each sentence due to multiple mitigating factors, including the defendants' guilty pleas.
The MV Matthew, owned by a Dubai-based company, was boarded at gunpoint by Ireland's elite Army Ranger Wing in rough seas off the Cork coast in September 2023.
Eight men from the 21-person crew were ultimately charged with drug trafficking offences.
Justice Greally sentenced the men based on their rank and level of responsibility in the operation, but accepted that none were operating at the highest level of the organised crime group, which directed the smuggling remotely.
- Dutch national Cumali Ozgen was sentenced to 20 years in prison.
- Filipino national Harold Estoesta received 18 years.
- The captain, Iranian national Soheil Jelveh, was given 17.5 years.
- Ukrainian national Vitaliy Vlasoi was sentenced to 16.5 years.
- Iranian national Saeid Hassani received 15 years.
- Ukrainian national Mykhailo Gavryk was given 14 years.
- Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa received 14.5 years.
- UK national Jamie Harbron was sentenced to 13.5 years.
Their headline sentences were partially reduced due to guilty pleas and other mitigating factors.
The men pleaded guilty to their involvement in the operation after 2.25 tonnes of cocaine were seized from the Panamanian-registered MV Matthew — a 190-metre-long, 32-metre-wide bulk cargo ship — during a dramatic airborne raid by armed Defence Forces personnel.
A transnational organised crime group with “immense capabilities, unlimited resources and a global reach” directed the operation, Detective Superintendent Keith Halley told the Special Criminal Court during sentencing.
He said a cell structure within the cartel meant the operation could continue even if one part was compromised. One of the cells was based in Dubai, and the investigation into the network is “very much ongoing.”
All crew members told gardaí they had flown to Dubai for interviews before travelling to South America to board the vessel.
Det Supt Halley also revealed “a major Iranian nexus” in the operation.
Those who pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023 were:
- Mykhailo Gavryk and Vitaliy Vlasoi (both 32, Ukrainians)
- Soheil Jelveh (51, Iranian)
- Saeid Hassani (39, Iranian)
- Harold Estoesta (31, Filipino)
- Cumali Ozgen (49, Dutch)
Meanwhile, Vitaliy Lapa (62, Ukrainian, of Rudenka, Repina Street, Berdyansk) and Jamie Harbron (31, of South Avenue, Billingham, UK) pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between 21 and 25 September 2023.
"The sentences imposed today provide a clear message to persons involved in international drug trafficking that Ireland is not a soft target for transnational, organised criminal networks," said Detective Superintendent Joe O’Reilly of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau following sentencing today.
"This and other drug interdictions over recent years clearly demonstrate that all agencies of the State, supported by our international partners, will work together to successfully disrupt and dismantle criminal networks engaged in drug trafficking, thereby reducing harm to our communities.
"To those involved in drug trafficking, the message is clear, that the full force of the Irish State, supported by our international partners, is against you. The reality facing you is security interdictions, special investigations, Special Criminal Court, lengthy sentences and asset seizure.
"Transnational organized crime gangs cause misery to communities, not only in Ireland but throughout the world. Tackling these gangs not only makes Ireland safer but all the other countries that they operate in as well."
Detective Superintendent O'Reilly thanked his colleagues in the Gardaí, Defence Forces, and Revenue for their work, which led to the interception of the MV Matthew on 26 September 2023, resulting in the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth approximately €157m.
"This investigation was supported at all stages by international colleagues at the Maritime Analysis Operation Centre Narcotics (MAOC-N), Interpol and An Garda Síochána network liaison officers and contacts in the Americas, Europe and the Middle East," he said.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin commended all State agencies involved for their "exceptional work" in the detention of the MV Matthew, the seizure of the drugs, and the successful prosecution of those involved.
"As Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, I want to pay a particular tribute to the courage, discipline and professionalism demonstrated by the members of the Defence Forces - drawn from the Air Corps, the Naval Service and the Army Ranger Wing – who were integral to ensuring the success of this operation.
"The intelligence-led operation involved the deployment of the LE William Butler Yeats, two AW139 helicopters, one CASA fixed-wing aircraft and one PC12 fixed-wing aircraft as well as a team from the Army Ranger Wing deployed by helicopter onto the MV Matthew and made the vessel safe.
"This was, by any measure, a highly complex operation which required the participation of highly-skilled personnel operating in challenging conditions.
"The Government remains committed to ensuring that all three services have the resources and training to continue to fulfil such challenging tasks. That commitment is reflected, for example, by my announcement in April of funding of €46.3m for the construction of a state-of-the-art new Headquarters and Training Centre for the Army Ranger Wing (ARW)."
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