Limerick seizure part of cocaine 'bombardment' of Europe

Gardaí questioning cargo ship crew to establish who was in contact with Irish gang

The ship, MV Verila, a Maltese-registered vessel, was found to have 300kgs of cocaine on board at Foynes, Co Limerick. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Investigators believe the 300kg cocaine seizure in Limerick was to be distributed across the country, and that a single drug gang — rather than a network of groups — was behind it.

Several Irish outfits — separate from the Kinahan cartel — have built up contacts in South America, and have the capability to distribute such a large quantity of cocaine.

The crew on board the bulk cargo ship is being interviewed by gardaí and officers expect this process, and the examination of communications by staff, could reveal who was in contact with the gang due to collect the drugs.

The route of the vessel carrying the cocaine — which had come from Canada as opposed to a South American country — is described as “unusual” and may reflect an effort by the cartel to lower its risk profile for customs authorities and evade detection.

The action of Customs officers in Foynes port has been praised by authorities who said it reflects the risk-profiling techniques they operate and the decision by search teams at the port to conduct what would be a time-consuming search of the 20,000-tonne vessel.

The ship, MV Verila, a Maltese-registered vessel, was unloading a legitimate cargo of grain at Foynes port on Tuesday. 

It appears to have had further stops planned, possibly in Cork and Waterford.

Customs discovered 300kgs of cocaine inside bales that had buoyancy aids and beacons attached, which officers said indicated that the intention was to throw them overboard at some stage to be picked up by a smaller vessel and brought ashore.

The consignment, which follows a record 2.23-tonne cocaine seizure on board a similar bulk cargo ship off the Cork coast last September, is part of what investigators describe as a “bombardment of cocaine” into Europe.

“The system is to keep flooding Europe,” one investigator said. 

“The business model [of cartels] is to keep throwing in tonnage, from different angles via every route possible. Even with huge seizures the price of cocaine is not going up. The model is ‘keep it coming, keep it coming’.” 

A statement issued by Revenue on Wednesday said: “Revenue officers boarded and searched a Maltese registered bulk cargo vessel in the Port of Foynes, Co Limerick, which had arrived from Canada. 

"Revenue officers identified and later seized approximately 300kg of cocaine with an estimated value of €21 million.

“Revenue officers, including specialist search teams, supported by drug detector dogs, are continuing to search the vessel as part of a live and ongoing operation. 

"An Garda Síochána attended on scene yesterday evening and are working closely with Revenue officers in this operation.” 

Gardaí and deck hands on the MV Matthew berthed at Marino Point, Cork. 

Sources said that while the ship was a legitimate commercial vessel and was carrying a legitimate load — unlike the MV Matthew stormed off the Cork coast — somebody on board must have been responsible for the cocaine and in communication with the traffickers.

While a coalition of gangs are often involved in clubbing together for a large shipment, such as a tonne or multi-tonne consignment, investigators say a 300kg haul could be the work of a single gang.

Sources have said there are several drug gangs in Ireland, including a long-established west Dublin outfit, that have the contacts and capability for such an operation.

Some of these gangs are regular visitors to South America and have developed working relationships with cartels and traffickers.