Courts / Cork / Report

Messages sent to MV Matthew told group to set course for Africa and burn cocaine, trial hears

Summary

The trial of Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) and Iranian Saeid Hassani (39) continues in the Special Criminal Court, where both defendants have pleaded not guilty to three charges including possession of cocaine for sale or supply and participation in a criminal organisation. The prosecution alleges the pair were involved in the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine, valued at €157 million, from the MV Matthew. Counsel for the State outlined evidence of messages sent to the vessel's bridge instructing the crew to set a course for Africa at full speed and to burn the drugs if intercepted by a helicopter. The State contends that Estoesta was alone on the bridge during the pursuit, placing him in control of the cargo, and that he actively suggested methods to evade law enforcement, including preparing gasoline to burn the contraband. Evidence also highlighted discrepancies in the ship's navigation data and the failed rendezvous with the fishing vessel The Castlemore. While the trial for Estoesta and Hassani is ongoing, four co-accused—Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk and Vitaliy Vlasoi, Iranian Soheil Jelveh, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen—previously pleaded guilty to similar offences connected to the seizure. The matter remains at the trial stage, with proceedings expected to last approximately six weeks under the presiding judge.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Messages sent to MV Matthew told group to set course for Africa and burn cocaine, trial hears. Charges or matters: similar offences connected to the seizure; the three charges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• September 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
• September 24 Incident
• September 26 Other
• September 22, 2023 Other
• August 2023 Other
• August 22 Other
• September 7 Other
• September 24, 2023 Incident
• 2017 to 2023 Other
• 2025-02-12 Publication

Why: He explained that the Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcasts the position of vessels to neighbouring ships, while the Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) records the ship's route. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report