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Sunday World
a day ago
- Sunday World
Face of Irish dad who died in Ecuador after €600k drug bust arrest
Serious concerns have been raised over the circumstances surrounding the arrest and death of John Fennessy This is the highly respected factory manager who died in Ecuador four days after he was arrested during a €600,000 drug bust in the country. Serious concerns have been raised over the circumstances surrounding the arrest and death of John Fennessy (64), a native of Edenderry, Co Offaly, as sources say he had no prior involvement in criminality of any kind. John, and a younger 22-year-old associate who is not from Edenderry, were arrested by officers from the Policia Nacional del Ecuador on August 1 at Guayaquil Airport after 15kg of cocaine was discovered in suitcases being transported to Madrid. Authorities said they also seized two firearms, more than 50 rounds of ammunition, cash and four mobile phones, as well as GPS devices. John Fennessy seen with his younger travelling companion Both men were brought before an investigating magistrate and remanded in custody, with officials specifying that this was in relation to the trafficking of illicit substances. Tragically, and before John had an opportunity to put his case forward, the 64-year-old took ill in his cell and passed away. It's suspected he died as a result of a heart attack. When the Sunday World called to the home of a brother of John's on Thursday of this week, he declined to comment. However, local sources said there is a feeling of incredulity in the town that a man with John's background, education and work ethic would be arrested in circumstances of this nature. 'He's gone from Edenderry more than 20 years,' one local told the Sunday World. 'But he still has a lot of family here including brothers and his oldest son who still lives in the town. 'His son would be in his 30s and like all that family would be very highly respected and well liked. Seized firearms in evidence bags 'Because of the circumstances, people are reluctant to speak about it, but the family will have the full support of everyone in the town. 'People are incredulous really, they feel something is very off about this and are just hopeful that the Department of Foreign Affairs will get some answers for John's family.' A spokesperson for Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said 'we don't comment' when contacted by this newspaper. However, in a statement issued earlier in the week the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it 'is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance'. It's understood efforts are being made to seek the release and repatriation of John's remains to Ireland – while consular assistance has been offered to the younger man who remains in custody. The country's interior ministry announced details of the arrest earlier this month, saying the men were detained on August 1 for allegedly trafficking illicit controlled substances. The ministry also published pictures of the drugs operation, showing blurred images of the two men surrounded by Ecuadorian police. It also showed pictures of the cocaine blocks, a digital weighing scale, a revolver, a handgun and ammunition. The interior ministry said the national directorate of anti-drug investigations, in co-ordinated work with other units, 'conducted an anti-narcotics inspection in which they detected suitcases containing 15 packages of controlled substances bound for Madrid'. . Ecuador's Policia Nacional said it prevented 'the shipment of 15 drug packages to Madrid valued at approximately $700,000 [€600,000]'. 'During a controlled operation carried out in Guayaquil, police personnel apprehended two foreign citizens who were transporting 15 blocks contained 14,730 grams of cocaine hidden in their luggage,' the police said. 'With this action, the commercialisation of approximately 147,300 doses of drugs was prevented.' Ecuador has become one of the largest exporters of cocaine to Europe in recent years It added that the estimated value of the cocaine on the European market was $688,627.50. Ecuador has become one of the largest exporters of cocaine to Europe in recent years, despite not growing the illicit drug. Drugs are normally trafficked in from neighbouring Colombia or Brazil, before being moved onwards to transit hubs in Europe. The use of drug mules has also become less common, with criminal gangs focusing on shipping multi-tonne shipments across the Atlantic. In 2024, Spain reported its largest ever seizure of cocaine (13 tonnes) in a single shipment, concealed in bananas originating from Guayaquil. John Fennessy died shortly after appearing before magistrates Today's News in 90 Seconds - 18th August
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irishman who died in Ecuador after arrest in cocaine smuggling plot was coerced
An Irishman who died in a South American hospital after being arrested over an alleged cocaine smuggling plot was coerced into taking part, his family insists. 'He was completely innocent,' a source close to the family told the Irish Sunday Mirror. The source was speaking days after the man, from the Midlands, died in Ecuador shortly after he and his son were arrested in an airport following the seizure of some €600,000 of alleged cocaine. Ecuador cops say the two men – who maintained their innocence – were arrested on August 3 when cops seized cocaine and firearms in luggage destined for a flight to Madrid. Drugs allegedly seized from the Irish father and son (Image: X/Policia Nacional del Ecuador) A source said the dead man's family are adamant neither he nor his son had anything to do with the illegal drugs trade. And they said the pair's ordeal started when they went on a short trip to Spain – and somehow ended up in Ecuador. 'They are innocent and were lured via threats and intimidation,' a source said. 'We believe they were targeted and threatened into going to Ecuador.' Sources also told us Gardaí are aware of the case of the father and son being arrested over the drugs bust at the airport in Guayaquil, a port city in the west of Ecuador. Handguns and ammunition seized from the Irishmen. (Image: X/Policia Nacional del Ecuador) But they also stressed that Gardaí had no evidence or intelligence to suggest that either man were in any way involved. It is understood the son, been left devastated by his father's death, is terrified as he is locked up in prison by himself. A source told us: 'They were in the same cell; the father complained of feeling unwell and was taken to hospital. Then they just came into the cell and told the son his dad was dead.' Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Irish dad dies in Ecuador days after €600,000 'cocaine seizure' arrest with son
An Irish father died in a South American hospital – just days after he was paraded in front of a camera over an alleged cocaine bust. The man, who was 64 and from County Offaly, died of a suspected heart attack in Ecuador on August 6 – just three days after cops released this image of him and his son under arrest. The pair were detained on August 3 after Ecuador cops allegedly foiled a plot to smuggle cocaine worth around €600,000 from there to Madrid in Spain. The cops also showed off some of the drugs they alleged were in the men's luggage when it was impounded at the airport in Guayaquil, a port city in the west of Ecuador. Cops also alleged they recovered two pistols, ammunition and cash in the men's luggage. The father and son were immediately taken into custody but it is understood the older man, who was well known in Offaly, became ill and died in hospital on August 6. Drugs allegedly seized from the Irish father and son (Image: X/Policia Nacional del Ecuador) Sources tell us gardai were aware of the arrests, but said neither man had any suspected connections to major criminality in Ireland. And the Department of Foreign Affairs tonight said it was aware of the case. The Irish father and son after their arrest in Ecuador for alleged drugs smuggling. (Image: X/Policía Nacional del Ecuador) A spokesman told us: 'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases.' Ecuador cops posted a pixelated photo of the father and son on their social media page on August 3 – and said officers had prevented drugs being sent to Spain. It said: 'We prevented the shipment of 15 drugs packages to Madrid valued at approximately $700,000 (€600,000).' Handguns, ammunition and cash allegedly seized from the Irishmen. (Image: X/Policia Nacaional del Ecuador) The statement added: 'During a control operation carried out in Guayaquil, police personnel apprehended two foreign citizens who were transporting 15 blocks containing 14,730 grams of cocaine hidden in their luggage. 'With this action, the commercialization of approximately 147,300 doses of drugs was prevented. The estimated value of the narcotic in the European market amounts to $688,627.50." As well as the drugs, cops alleged they seized two pistols, ammunition, cash, a digital scale and bill counter and electronic devices. Handguns and ammunition seized from the Irishmen. (Image: X/Policia Nacional del Ecuador) Neither man had been convicted of any offence by the time the older suspect died. It is understood his son is still in custody in Ecuador. Anyone convicted of drugs smuggling there faces at least 10 years in prison. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
