Courts / Clare / Report
Seven operated in organised cells in conspiracy to import cocaine worth up to €42m, court hears
Summary
The Special Criminal Court heard that seven men conspired to import up to 600kg of cocaine, valued at up to €42 million, into Ireland. The defendants, Miljan Koprivica, Conor Costello, Gary Monks, Ryan Watson, Hanz Pangahin, Christopher Ampo, and Feljon Lao, all entered guilty pleas to conspiring to import drugs in excess of €13,000 under section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. Evidence presented by a Detective Inspector alleged the group operated in structured cells under the control of unidentified individuals. Three Filipino defendants were accused of loading the drugs onto the MV Royal in the Amazon, while four others with UK addresses formed a landing cell intended to collect the cocaine via a rigid inflatable boat. The landing crew was arrested at Meenogahane pier in County Kerry on January 12, 2025, after allegedly completing the transfer. The three men on the ship were subsequently arrested between January 15 and 17, 2025. The court heard that the defendants were instructed by figures using pseudonyms such as "Emaar Boss" and "Albert," and that EncroChat devices were used for coordination. The sentence hearing was adjourned to continue before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, sitting with Judges Sarah Berkeley and Fiona Lydon.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Seven operated in organised cells in conspiracy to import cocaine worth up to €42m, court hears. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 18, 2024 Incident
- January 15, 2025 Incident
- December 14 Other
- December 27, 2024 Other
- January 12 Incident
- January 6 Incident
- January 15 Incident
- January 17 Incident
- January 9 Other
- 2025-12-17 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- Special Criminal Court
- Bollin Drive
- Earhart Park
- Madamsbank Road
- Amulree Place
- Mailerbeg Gardens
Topics
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