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Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Crews 'expendable' in massive cocaine smuggling operation, court hears
A Ukrainian man who spoke no English had serious concerns about the seaworthiness of a boat being used in a €157m cocaine smuggling operation. Gardaí had been watching Vitaliy Lapa, aged 62, and Jamie Harbron, aged 31, since they entered Ireland to embark on a drug-trafficking plot for a major organised crime group. However, they claimed they did not know what they were about to undertake, or the power of the organised crime group who would direct the operation — and leave them for dead — in stormy seas off Wexford. Ukrainian national Lapa, with an address at Rudenka, Repina St, in Berdyansk, and Harbron, aged 31, of South Ave, Billingham in the UK, pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply between September 21 and 25, 2023. They are two of eight men who have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a drug smuggling plot in which 2.25 tonnes of cocaine — the largest seizure in the history of the State — was found on the Panamanian-registered MV Matthew, a 190m long, 32m wide bulk cargo ship off the Cork coast. The record €157m haul of drugs seized from the 'mother ship', the MV Matthew in 2023. The 'daughter ship' was intended to be the Castlemore, a trawler purchased in Castletownbere, Co Cork, the court heard. File picture: An Garda Síochána Russia's invasion of Ukraine had pushed Lapa, a retired fishing captain, back out to work at sea to provide for his family. The conflict had imposed great financial pressures on his family, his counsel Colman Cody told the three-judge Special Criminal Court. People with vulnerabilities — most often addiction or financial problems — are often before the courts, he said. Fisherman told he would be paid €5,000 Lapa said he was told he would be paid €5,000, which 'considering the largesse from this enterprise, was a very paltry sum' for the risks of involvement, Mr Cody said. His English had been 'non-existent' when he came to Ireland in 2023 and he waited in hotels in Dublin and Newry for instructions from the organised crime group. He had been hired for his seafaring experience, the court heard. Concerns about Castlemore's seaworthiness However, when he viewed the fishing trawler, the Castlemore, in Castletownbere, West Cork, with a person of interest to gardaí, on September 21, 2023, he said he had concerns about the boat — believing its engine speed and capacity was insufficient, and unable to go above 10 knots. His concerns were ignored and the boat was bought. From the time it set sail, Lapa and Harbron met adversity, the court heard. English man on 'lowest rung' of operation Harbron had suffered addiction issues, the Special Criminal Court heard. He was 'the lowest rung' of the drug smuggling operation, his counsel Michael O'Higgins said. He was the first person to plead guilty and this may have been of value in other pleas forthcoming, Mr O'Higgins said. 'His role was very supine,' he said. He bought his own ferry ticket from Britain to Ireland on his own debit card just two days before departing on the Castlemore. He had no boating experience and claimed not to know what contraband the boat would carry, although he suspected it was drugs. The first time he became aware of its 'gargantuan size' was when he was on the Castlemore, he said. There was a clear 'difference between those pulling the strings and those on the end of the string' in this operation, Mr O'Higgins said. Harbron left school at age 14 with no GCSEs. He is a man without means, with no home or car, Mr O'Higgins said. He developed addiction issues, consuming cocaine, cannabis, and alcohol, and ran up a significant drug debt. His actions on the Castlemore were to pay off €10,000 of a €20,000 drug debt, the court heard. Once the pair hit rough weather off Wexford and subsequently ran aground, Harbron thought he was going to die. 'Notwithstanding the very serious risk to their lives, they were specifically instructed not to contact the Coast Guard,' Mr O'Higgins said. They were then given a hasty cover story by the organised crime gang directing the operation. The gang's treatment of the two men showed how 'expendable' they were, the court heard. The Castlemore was to be the 'daughter ship' to collect drugs from the MV Matthew as the 'mother ship'. 'These idiots were late again' While the MV Matthew and Castlemore were trying to meet off the Irish coast in increasingly stormy weather, growing frustration was shown by the captain on messaging apps with the men crewing the daughter ship, John Berry, prosecuting, said. He complained of how 'these idiots were late again'. He also expressed concern about the worsening weather, saying a drop-off would be impossible in the growing swell. On September 24, 2023, the Castlemore ran aground and its crew was recused by Irish authorities; they were winched off the boat before being arrested. When the MV Matthew heard that SOS call over the radio that night, they devised a plan to put the drugs in a lifeboat with Cumali Ozgen, who the court heard was the 'eyes and ears' of the cartel in Dubai, and lower them to sea, but this never happened. The Panamanian-registered cargo vessel the MV Matthew berthed at Marino Point in Cork Harbour in 2023 after the largest cocaine seizure in the history of the State. File picture: Dan Linehan Captain Soheil Jelveh then called for a medical evacuation, being winched off the ship by the Irish coastguard and taken to hospital — bringing four phones, more than $50,000 in cash, and two suitcases. He was later arrested in hospital. Meanwhile, the ship was trying to escape Irish territorial waters. They wrongly believed they could not be boarded by Irish authorities in international waters and planned to go to Sierra Leone for safety. The MV Matthew repeatedly tried to evade the naval vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats which was in hot pursuit, ignoring its instructions and attempting to burn the drugs aboard despite multiple warning shots. Elite army rangers then abseiled down from a helicopter onto the MV Matthew in dangerous conditions and seized the ship. Six of its crew would later plead guilty to involvement. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, both aged 32; Iranians Soheil Jelveh, aged 51, and Saeid Hassani, aged 39; Filipino Harold Estoesta, aged 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, aged 49, all pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Mathew between September 24 and 26 of 2023. Ms Justice Melanie Grealy has set sentencing for all eight men on July 4.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Drugs shipment crew were 'completely expendable', garda says
Two men who were to take 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew and bring it to the UK were so expendable that when their ship ran aground in rough seas, their employers deleted them from a group chat and planned to complete the operation without them, the Special Criminal Court has heard. Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the "lowest rung" in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Advertisement Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include "greasing things up" or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a "competent or good deck hand," Supt Halley said. He could not operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was "very sick" and told gardai he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was "very, very grateful" to his rescuers, the Superintendent said. Advertisement When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were "completely expendable". Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardai that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an "erroneous belief" that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. Advertisement However, gardaí retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on September 26th, 2022 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Lenient sentencing Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (33); Iranians Soheil Jelveh (52) and Saeid Hassani (40); Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (50) pleaded guilty that between September 24th and 26th 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel "MV Matthew" they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Advertisement Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (62), with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron (31) of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between September 21st and 25th, 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they "succumbed" to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Advertisement Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to "mind the cargo". He was, counsel said, the "eyes and ears" of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardai that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a "misguided attempt" to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani, said this was the first time his client was involved in "anything of this kind". He had been a sailor of good character all his life but "succumbed to temptation", believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a "vulnerable financial position". Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. "He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account," counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone, will deliver the sentences on July 4th.
The Journal
6 days ago
- General
- The Journal
Court told how bungling drug traffickers suffered serious seasickness aboard crippled trawler
A COURT HAS heard how two bungling drug traffickers communicating with each other through Google translate and suffering with heavy seasickness struggled to save their own lives when the malfunctioning trawler they were aboard ran aground in high seas. Detective Superintendent Keith Halley was being cross examined by defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC at the Special Criminal Court sentence hearing for the eight men accused of playing a part in the MV Matthew operation. Halley led the garda operation in the capture of the MV Matthew in a daring Army Ranger Wing (ARW) operation off the Wexford and Waterford coast. He has spent the last two days outlining the facts of the mammoth transnational law enforcement effort to capture the bulk carrier drug runner. This morning the barristers for the accused began questioning Halley and also outlining their mitigation for their clients ahead of their sentencing next month. The accused from the Matthew are: Iranian Saied Hassani (39), Filipino Harold Estoesta (31), Ukrainian Mykhailo Gavryk (32), Ukrainian Vitalit Vlasoi (32), Iranian ship's captain Soheil Jelveh (51) and Dutch Cumali Ozgen (49). The men on the Castlemore trawler were Ukrainian Vitaliy Lapa (62) and UK national Jamie Harbron (31) – they were charged with attempting to possess drugs for sale or supply. The six onboard the Matthew are all charged with offences related to drug possession for sale or supply of the 2.2 tonnes or €157m worth of cocaine. The court has heard that the Castlemore was due to meet the MV Matthew in the Irish Sea and it was to receive the drugs from the bigger bulk carrier. The court had previously heard that Lapa and Harbron were with three other members of the drug trafficking gang. Lapa arrived in Ireland in July 2023 and was on standby to participate with the operation that was organised by Iranian and Dubai based criminals as well as other criminals in Britain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain and other locations. Harbron, from Teeside near Middlesborough, arrived into Ireland on a ferry from Holyhead just days before the group of five headed south to the fishing village of Castletownbere in west Cork to purchase a trawler. O'Higgins, representing Harbron, who has a drugs addiction, had spoken about how his client had no experience of seafaring. He had joined the operation at the last minute and his counsel said that it was agreed that he would pay off €10,000 of a €20,000 drug debt. The court had heard from Halley that Lapa was a Ukrainian seafarer who was the experienced member of the two man trawler crew. He had been in Ireland from July 2023 waiting for to get the word to buy and board the trawler that would take posession of the drugs. The court heard details of how Lapa had been concerned about the condition of the Castlemore and whether it would be able to deal with the sea state and meet the Matthew. His concerns would ultimately prove well founded as the Castlemore floundered in high seas and wind off the Wexford coast. They were winched off by a Coastguard helicopter and it was a key moment for the Garda, Customs and Defence Forces team leading the Irish operation. Crew and Army Ranger Wing operators aboard the MV Matthew as it sails past Cobh. Alamy Alamy 'Completely expendable' O'Higgins said his client Harbron was at a low 'rung on the ladder' and was essentially a deckhand on the trawler. 'He was not a very good or competent deckhand,' he said. Advertisement He also said that Coast Guard winchman Gary O'Sullivan, said that when he got on board the Castlemore to rescue the men that their seafaring competency and skill level was low. 'They couldn't operate the radio, they couldn't find a life vest and couldn't operate a tow line,' he said. Det Supt Halley said that he believed their inability to fix a tow line was because of the sea sickness and physical distress from being battered at sea by storm conditions. O'Higgins said his client was under the direction of other people, particularly in Dubai over messaging apps. When they contacted their Dubai handlers they were initially told not to call for Coastguard help when they ran aground and began taking on water. The court heard that there was then a cover story concocted by those in control before they were rescued. When they were winched off the stricken trawler their phones were immediately removed from the chat groups used to communicate by the smugglers. 'This action might indicate where the men in the fishing boat were in the food chain – they were completely expendable,' O'Higgins added. Ranger Wing operators on the bow of the MV Matthew. Alamy Alamy Google translate Halley under cross examination told the court that Harbron's role was to receive instructions on messaging groups, using a Starlink system, to keep in contact. He was then to inform Lapa. The issue for them was that Lapa did not speak English – Halley told the court that Harbron used google translate to communicate with his fellow smuggler. Colman Cody Senior Counsel for Lapa said that his client was a Ukrainian national who was a qualified sea farer. He said in court that his client had concerns about the capability of the boat to got a required speed of ten knots. Halley had agreed with the defence barrister that Lapa was not aware of the full scale of the operation. Lapa, the court heard, had worked on fishing boats in Europe and Africa previously. Cody said his client was no longer working and was effectively a pensioner when he was recruited. He said the gang had sought him out as a 'person with a particular skill set'. Halley agreed that Lapa was at the lowest level in the enterprise and wasn't aware of the Irish criminal gang cell structure. Much of the day's hearing was taken up with mitigation from the eight barristers representing the eight men. They had asked for a degree of leniency from the three judge panel on grounds that the men saved the state a lengthy trial with their guilty pleas. There were also details of their life situations and difficulties with serving prison sentences in Ireland. Ms Justice Melanie Greally presiding with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone set a date for the sentencing of the men on 4 July next. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Two crew members of MV Matthew were ‘completely expendable' court hears
Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the 'lowest rung' in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said. Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include 'greasing things up' or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a 'competent or good deck hand,' Supt Halley said. He couldn't operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was 'very sick' and told gardai he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was 'very, very grateful' to his rescuers, the Superintendent said. When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were 'completely expendable'. Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardai that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an 'erroneous belief' that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. However, gardai retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on September 26, 2022 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk (32) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (33); Iranians Soheil Jelveh (52) and Saeid Hassani (40); Filipino Harold Estoesta (31) and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (50) pleaded guilty that between September 24 and 26 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel 'MV Matthew' they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa (62), with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron (31) of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between September 21 and 25, 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight today asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they 'succumbed' to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to 'mind the cargo'. He was, counsel said, the 'eyes and ears' of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardai that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a 'misguided attempt' to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani, said this was the first time his client was involved in 'anything of this kind'. He had been a sailor of good character all his life but 'succumbed to temptation', believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a 'vulnerable financial position'. Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. 'He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account,' counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone, will deliver the sentences on July 4.
RTÉ News
6 days ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Two MV Matthew crew were 'completely expendable', court told
Two men who were to take 2.25 tonnes of cocaine from the MV Matthew and bring it to the UK were so expendable that when their ship ran aground in rough seas, their employers deleted them from a group chat and planned to complete the operation without them, the Special Criminal Court has heard. Det Superintendent Keith Halley told the three-judge court that Englishman Jamie Harbron was on the "lowest rung" in the criminal enterprise to transport the massive drugs haul across the Atlantic, into Europe. Harbron was hired as a deck hand on board the Castlemore, an Irish ship which was supposed to meet the MV Matthew and take the drugs to the UK, the detective said. Under cross-examination, Det Halley told Harbron's defence counsel, Michael O'Higgins SC, that Harbron's jobs appeared to include "greasing things up" or tidying the ship. He did not appear to be a "competent or good deck hand," Supt Halley said. He could not operate the radio, find the life vests or secure a tow rope thrown from a coastguard boat in an attempt to rescue the vessel. Having been on rough seas from Friday afternoon until Sunday evening, Harbron was "very sick" and told gardaí he believed he was going to die. Harbron was finally winched to safety by a coastguard helicopter and was "very, very grateful" to his rescuers, the superintendent said. When the Dubai-based organisers of the criminal enterprise realised the Castlemore had run aground, they initially told the ship's captain, Vitaliy Lapa, not to call the coastguard. They then removed the Castlemore from the virtual chat room used to communicate with the vessels and told the MV Matthew they would find another boat to make the rendezvous. Supt Halley agreed that this indicated Harbron and Lapa were "completely expendable". Harbron appeared to have become involved in the plot at the last minute and had told gardaí that he was promised €10,000 would be wiped off a €20,000 drug debt. Lapa, the detective said, speaks no English and the two men communicated using Google Translate. The Dubai-based leadership had an "erroneous belief" that the messages they had sent to the Castlemore would automatically delete after one hour, Supt Halley said. However, gardaí retrieved the messages, which were used as part of the evidence in the case. Eight men have pleaded guilty to offences arising from the seizure of €157 million worth of drugs on board the MV Matthew. Members of the Irish Army Rangers wing of the Defence Forces boarded the ship on 26 September 2023 in a daring mission in rough seas as the MV Matthew manoeuvred to try to evade capture. The ship had departed from Curacao, off the Venezuelan coast and sailed across the Atlantic before arriving in Irish territorial waters. Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, 33, Iranians Soheil Jelveh, 52, and Saeid Hassani, 40, Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31, and Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, 50, pleaded guilty that between 24 and 26 September 2023, both dates inclusive, at locations outside the State, on board the vessel MV Matthew, they possessed cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham in the UK pleaded guilty that on dates between 21 and 25 September 2023 they attempted to possess cocaine for sale or supply, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Act. Lawyers for all eight today asked the court to be as lenient as possible in sentencing. For mitigation, they rely on their guilty pleas and the fact that their time in prison will be spent in a foreign country away from their families. None of those before the court were the leaders of the criminal organisation involved in transporting the drugs but were hired to perform specific roles on the two ships, lawyers said. The only defendant with a record of offending is Jamie Harbron, whose convictions include cannabis and cocaine possession in the UK. Lawyers for the others submitted that their clients were of good character before this offence, but they "succumbed" to temptation, hoping to resolve various financial difficulties. Brendan Grehan SC, for Kumali Ozgen, said his client's job on board the MV Matthew was to "mind the cargo". He was, counsel said, the "eyes and ears" of those directing the operation from Dubai and had no seafaring experience. Ozgen admitted to gardaí that he loaded crates of drugs onto the ship and used paint thinners to try to burn the drugs when the Irish Navy began its pursuit. He also said he was to be paid €50,000 to €100,000 if successful, but has received nothing. Mr Grehan said Ozgen took the job in a "misguided attempt" to provide for his family, in particular his son, who suffers from poor health. Hugh Hartnett SC, for Gavryk, said his client was of excellent character before this offence. Michael Hourigan SC, for Estoesta, said his client had provided gardai with valuable information, including that when the drugs were loaded onto the MV Matthew, ordinary crew members were plied with alcohol to distract them. Mark Lynam SC for Hassani said this was the first time his client was involved in "anything of this kind". He had been a sailor of good character all his life but "succumbed to temptation", believing the money from this job would allow him to spend more time with his wife and family. Colman Cody SC, for Lapa, said his client was a hard-working, law-abiding citizen and a loving husband and father. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Lapa found himself in a "vulnerable financial position". Despite having retired as a fishing captain, he was compelled to go abroad to provide for his family. "He was vulnerable to certain pressures, and that ought to be taken into account," counsel said. Paul O'Higgins SC, for Vlasoi, said his client was the first officer on the boat but had led a blameless life before. He had limited knowledge of the operation, counsel said. Keivon Sotoodeh BL, for Jelveh, said his client was the captain of the MV Matthew but was acting on orders from Dubai. The court previously heard that Jelveh became frustrated with the instructions he was receiving and called the coastguard for an emergency medical evacuation. A coastguard helicopter lifted Jelveh from the MV Matthew before the ship was engaged by Irish Naval vessel the LE William Butler Yeats. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Gráinne Malone, will deliver the sentences on 4 July.
