Four people arrested following cocaine seizure worth €31m in Cork
A Joint Task Force had been established after intelligence was received about the maritime drug smuggling effort and involved gardaí, the Defence Forces and Revenue.
Detectives from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) stopped a van in Courtmacsherry, Cork, this morning as part of the investigation.
A significant amount of cocaine, believed to be around 500 kilos, was recovered.
While the weight of the drugs has yet to be confirmed, the initial figure indicates a street value of around €31 million.
Two men, aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested and are currently being held on organised crime offences.
They have been described as the 'landing crew' of the operation who collected the drug shipment after it was brought to shore by another cell commonly referred to as the 'collection crew'.
Elsewhere, the Irish Naval ship the LE William Butler Yeats responded to the departure of a rigid inflatable boat (RIB) from Broadstrand, Courtmacsherry.
The LE William Butler Yeats had been on patrol in the area as part of the Joint Task Force operation.
Maritime patrol aircraft from the Irish Air Corps provided overhead surveillance during the operation.
Two Naval Service RIBs with members of the armed 'maritime interdiction team' were launched from LE William Butler Yeats and intercepted the suspect vessel off the coast of Cork.
The suspect vessel was detained by Revenue Customs Service and the two men were taken on board the LE William Butler Yeats.
The LE William Butler Yeats returned to Haulbowline Naval Base and both men, also aged in their 30s and 40s, were arrested by gardai and detained at a Garda Station in Co Cork under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007.
Drug smuggling networks have been using cell structures in recent years to compartmentalise operations and protect the overall criminal network involved.
Those involved in the operation included Scottish nationals and gardaí are inquiring if the drugs were destined for the UK market.
In a statement gardaí said: 'A Joint task Force Drugs Interdiction operation is ongoing at this time in Co. Cork.
'This morning Gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stopped a van in the Courtmacsherry area of County Cork and a large quantity of suspected Cocaine has been recovered (exact quantity and value yet to be determined).
'Two males (30s and 40s) have been arrested and are currently detained in a Garda Station in Co. Cork under section 50 Criminal Justice Act 2007.
'The operation is supported by the Joint Task Force partners, Revenue's Customs Service, the Irish Naval Service, and local Gardaí and the Irish Air Corps.
'As this is an ongoing operation no further details are available at this time.
'Further updates will be provided in due course.'
Tánaiste Simon Harris, who is also Defence Minister, said today: 'I have been briefed by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces on today's significant joint-agency operation in Cork.
'I want to commend members of An Garda Síochána, Defence Forces, Naval Service and Revenue for their close collaboration in securing such a successful outcome.'
While Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan posted on X: "Another major cocaine seizure worth up to €35m by @GardaInfo this morning.
"Excellent cooperation involving Gardaí, @defenceforces and Revenue, and another example of our work to disrupt the criminal gangs involved".
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