Courts / Cork / Report
MV Matthew defendants get combined 129 years after 2.2 tonne cocaine seizure
Summary
Six men from Iran, Ukraine, the Philippines and the UK were jailed for a combined 129 years after a 2.2‑tonne cocaine seizure on the bulk carrier MV Matthew. The Special Criminal Court, presided over by Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sentenced each defendant to a term ranging from 13.5 to 20 years, with the longest term imposed on Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (50) at 20 years. Ozgen was described as the crew member most closely connected to the Dubai‑based criminal organisation that planned and funded the operation. Other defendants received 18 years for Filipino Harold Estoesta, 17.5 for Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 16.5 for Ukrainian Vitaliy Vlasoi, 15 for Iranian Saeid Hassani, 14 for Ukrainian Mykhailo Gavryk, 14.5 for Ukrainian Vitaliy Lapa and 13.5 for British Jamie Harbron. The court noted that the defendants had pleaded guilty and that most had no prior convictions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: MV Matthew defendants get combined 129 years after 2.2 tonne cocaine seizure. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 24 Incident
- September 21 Incident
- September 2023 Other
- 2025-07-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Convicted Person
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Convicted Person
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Justice Greally today sentenced Ozgen to 20 years in prison; Estoesta to 18 years; Jelveh to 17.5 years; Vlasoi to 16.5 years; Hassani to 15 years; Gavryk to 14 years; Lapa to 14.5 years and Harbron to 13.5 years. Ms Justice Greally set headline sentences for each accused, ranging from 30 years for Ozgen, the most culpable, to 22 years for Harbron who was deemed least culpable.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Mentally ill man who put fellow psychiatric patient in chokehold to be immediately released into care of UK parents
- 'Alternative dispute resolution': man arranged 'straightener' during which dad-of-seven was stabbed to death
- Brothers who sexually assaulted teenage girls in mid-nineties can now be identified for first time
- ESB worker too late to pursue claim seeking €42k in alleged unpaid overtime
- 'No hand, act or part': Osgur Breatnach's wrongful conviction for Sallins train robbery declared a miscarriage of justice
- Migrant engineer who worked 10-hour days for under minimum wage wins €14k
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request