Courts / Ireland / Report

Eight charged over largest cocaine seizure in history of State have cases transferred to non-jury court

Summary

Eight men charged in connection with the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history have had their cases transferred to the Special Criminal Court. State solicitor Ciara Vibien successfully applied for the transfer, arguing that the non-jury court is necessary to secure the effective administration of justice. The charges stem from the seizure of approximately 2.25 tonnes of cocaine, valued at over €157 million, from the Panamanian-registered vessel MV Matthew in September 2023. The accused are Vitaliy Lapa, Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Jamie Harbron, Soheil Jelveh, Harold Estoesta, Saeid Hassani, and Cumali Ozgen. Lapa and Harbron are accused of possession of drugs and contributing to criminal organisation activity. The remaining six men face similar organised crime charges, along with allegations of illicit traffic by sea and misuse of drugs. The vessel was interdicted by a joint task force including the Revenue Customs Service, Naval Service, and An Garda Síochána, with Army Rangers securing the ship before it was escorted to port. The matter is currently at the trial stage, with all charges alleged or contested. No pleas, findings, sentences, or finalisations have been recorded, and the case has not been concluded.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Eight charged over largest cocaine seizure in history of State have cases transferred to non-jury court. Charges or matters: possession of drugs; contributing to criminal organisation activity; illicit traffic by sea; misuse of drugs. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 2023 Other
• September 24, 2023 Incident
• September 26, 2023 Incident
• July 15 Incident
• September 25 Incident
• September 21 Incident
• September 25 2023 Incident
• September 24 Incident
• September 26 Incident
• 2024-05-29 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial

Read the original CNI report