A court in Ireland has sentenced eight individuals to spend more than 10 years in prison for their role in an attempt to smuggle illegal narcotics by sea back in September 2023.
The individuals included six people who had served as crew on the bulk carrier Matthew plus another two who had been waiting on shore as part of the transfer. All eight have pleaded guilty to attempting to smuggle drugs into the country.
The six crewmembers were arrested by Irish authorities on September 26, 2023, shortly after their vessel attempted to evade capture while off the coast of Cork.
The Irish Naval Service patrol ship LÉ William Butler Yeats was already waiting in the area on the said date, having earlier deployed there after Irish authorities learned through intelligence channels that a transfer of narcotics was to take place in those same waters.
The crew of Matthew apparently ignored the warning shots fired by Yeats as the bulk carrier maintained its course instead of heading towards the Port of Cork as instructed.
The patrol vessel was subsequently forced to open fire on where the bulk carrier's engine room was located to disable it and prevent it from escaping.
Irish Army commandos then deployed to the area via helicopter and fast-roped onto the bulk carrier amid heavy seas. The commandos arrested the six crewmembers and took control of the ship within minutes.
Matthew was found to be carrying 2,200 kg of cocaine with an estimated value of US$170 million.
One of the arrested individuals has been sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment due to his role as the ringleader of the smuggling cartel among the crew. The seven other accused were meanwhile handed sentences ranging from 13 and a half to 18 years.