Courts / Cork / Report
'Great bravery': Army Rangers risked their lives to board cocaine ship MV Matthew
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard a sentencing hearing for eight defendants who pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of 2.25 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew. Mykhailo Gavryk, Vitaliy Vlasoi, Soheil Jelveh, Saeid Hassani, Harold Estoesta, and Cumali Ozgen pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine for sale or supply between September 24 and 26, 2023. Vitaliy Lapa pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for supply within the State between September 21 and 25, 2023. Jamie Harbron pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply during the same period. Detective Superintendent Keith Halley testified that an organised crime group in Dubai instructed the crew to evade capture, with one individual allegedly ordering the drugs be destroyed by fire. Army Rangers boarded the vessel in treacherous weather, risking their lives to prevent the destruction of the cocaine. The investigation into the wider criminal network remains ongoing. The matter was adjourned to Wednesday for the continuation of the sentencing hearing before Ms Justice Melanie Greally, Judge Sarah Berkeley, and Judge Grainne Malone.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Great bravery': Army Rangers risked their lives to board cocaine ship MV Matthew. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- September 2023 Other
- September 24 Incident
- September 21 Incident
- September 25, 2023 Incident
- September 25 Other
- September 24th Incident
- September 26th Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017 to 2023 Other
- 2025-06-03 Publication
Why: "We will go away because you are firing at us," he said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Charge Or Pretrial
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