Courts / Ireland / Report
Trial date for men involved in 2.25 tonne cocaine haul
Summary
In a major drug‑seizure case, eight men have been convicted for their roles in a 2.25‑tonne cocaine haul that was seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian‑registered bulk carrier. The shipment, valued at over €157 million, was intercepted by Army Rangers in September 2023. The defendants—Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32), Vitaliy Vlasoi (32) and Vitaliy Lapa (61); Iranians Soheil Jelveh (51) and Saeid Hassani (39); Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (49); Filipino Harold Estoesta (31); and Jamie Harbron (31)—were charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Six pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply on the MV Matthew between 24 and 26 September 2023, with a market value exceeding €13 000. Lapa and Harbron pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between 21 and 25 September 2023. The Special Criminal Court will sentence the men on 3 and 4 June.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Trial date for men involved in 2.25 tonne cocaine haul. Charges or matters: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2023 Other
- September 24 Incident
- September 26 2023 Incident
- September 21 Incident
- September 25, 2023 Incident
- June 3 Incident
- 2025-04-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and September 25, 2023, in relation to the same shipment (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Defendant
Charges: an offence that between September 24 and September 26 2023, at a location outside the State, on board the MV Matthew, they had cocaine for sale or supply in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act and that the market value of the drug exceeded €13,000; 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
- South Avenue
- Special Criminal Court
Topics
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