Courts / Ireland / Report
Sentencing of €42m cocaine smugglers must be 'significant deterrent' both globally and nationally', judge says
Summary
The Special Criminal Court sentenced seven men to prison terms ranging from ten to twelve years for conspiring to import an estimated €42 million worth of cocaine into Ireland. All defendants, including Gary Monks, Miljan Koprivica, Conor Costello, Ryan Watson, Hanz Pangahin, Christopher Ampo, and Feljon Lao, entered guilty pleas to offences under section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. The court found that the group operated as structured cells under the control of an international cartel, using the MV Royal to transport 400 to 600kg of cocaine from the Amazon to the Shannon Estuary. Presiding Judge Karen O'Connor emphasized the need for a significant deterrent to protect Ireland's coastline from such criminality. Sentences varied based on individual roles and mitigating factors. Koprivica received the maximum twelve-year term for acting as a trusted conduit between criminal cells. Monks received the minimum ten-year sentence due to evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from service in conflict zones. Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo, and Pangahin each received ten-and-a-half-year sentences. The matter was finalized with these custodial sentences imposed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentencing of €42m cocaine smugglers must be 'significant deterrent' both globally and nationally', judge says. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 18, 2024 Other
- January 15, 2025 Other
- December 14 Other
- December 27, 2024 Other
- January 12 Incident
- January 6 Incident
- January 15 Incident
- January 17 Incident
- January 9 Other
- 2026-03-23 Publication
Why: Kopravica received the longest sentence because he was the conduit between the two criminal cells involved in the operation, indicating he was a person trusted by the organisation. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The three-judge court imposed a sentence of 10.5 years on Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The three-judge court imposed a sentence of 10.5 years on Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The three-judge court imposed a sentence of 10.5 years on Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Kopravica received a sentence of 12 years, while Monks will serve ten years. Monks received the shortest sentence due to evidence that he suffers from post traumatic stress disorder having served in the British Army and later with a security firm in conflict zones, including in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The three-judge court imposed a sentence of 10.5 years on Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin.
Defendant
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The three-judge court imposed a sentence of 10.5 years on Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin.
Places mentioned
- The Special Criminal Court
- Amulree Place
- Bollin Drive
- Earhart Park
- Madamsbank Road
- Mailerbeg Gardens
Topics
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