MV Matthew crew were no mere cogs — they played a vital role in cocaine trafficking venture

Guilty pleas reduced their sentences but the Special Criminal Court found the men were more than mere drugs mules

Eight men were sentenced relating to drugs seized on the MV Matthew: Cumali Ozgen, Mykhalio Gavryk, Jamie Harbron, Saeid Hassani, Harold Estoesta, Vitaliy Lapa, Vitaliy Vlasoi, and Soheil Jelveh. Pictures: Irish Examiner and PA

Sailors sentenced to prison for their involvement in major international drug trafficking through Ireland were not mere cogs in the wheel but vital parts of the engine that drives international drug trafficking, a court has heard.

Eight men have been sentenced to a combined 129 years in prison for their role in a drug trafficking operation that was intercepted and resulted in the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the State.