Courts / Ireland / Report
Last of MV Matthew defendants plead guilty one week into €157m cocaine trial
Summary
Saeid Hassani and Harold Estoesta pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew, a Panamanian-registered vessel carrying 2.2 tonnes of the drug worth an estimated €157 million. The prosecution alleged the pair played an essential part in a sophisticated international drug trafficking operation, specifically directing the transfer of drugs to a fishing boat and concealing the vessel's position. Their pleas were accepted on a full facts basis. They are the last of eight defendants to plead guilty in this case, which resulted in the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history. Earlier, four other men pleaded guilty to similar offences, while Vitaliy Lapa and Jamie Harbron pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023. The MV Matthew was seized by Irish Army Rangers after being pursued by the navy patrol vessel LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded Hassani and Estoesta in custody until February 24, when the court intends to fix a date for their sentencing hearing. The matter was adjourned for this purpose and is not yet concluded.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Last of MV Matthew defendants plead guilty one week into €157m cocaine trial. Charges or matters: possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew, a Panamanian registered ship that was carrying 2.2 tonnes of the drug, worth an estimated €157 million, when it was boarded and taken over by members of the Irish Army Rangers; a similar offence; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023 in relation to the same shipment. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- September 24 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 26 2023 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 24th Adjournment
- September 21 Incident
- September 25, 2023 Incident
- 2025-02-18 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew, a Panamanian registered ship that was carrying 2.2 tonnes of the drug, worth an estimated €157 million, when it was boarded and taken over by members of the Irish Army Rangers; a similar offence; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023 in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded both men in custody to February 24th when the court intends to fix a date for their sentencing hearing.
Defendant
Charges: attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023 in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Accused
Charges: a similar offence; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023 in relation to the same shipment (Alleged Or Contested)
Outcome: Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded both men in custody to February 24th when the court intends to fix a date for their sentencing hearing.
Accused
Charges: possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew, a Panamanian registered ship that was carrying 2.2 tonnes of the drug, worth an estimated €157 million, when it was boarded and taken over by members of the Irish Army Rangers; a similar offence; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023 in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Melanie Greally remanded both men in custody to February 24th when the court intends to fix a date for their sentencing hearing.
Defendant
Charges: attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023 in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- South Avenue
Topics
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request