MV Matthew: Eight men sentenced over Ireland’s biggest cocaine seizure

World

8 hours ago

Originally posted by: BBC.com

Source: BBC.com

Kevin Sharkey

BBC News NI Dublin reporter

The cocaine seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, had an estimated value of more than €157m (£135m)

PA Media Black boat with Matthew in white text, military personnel pictured onboard deck — The cocaine seized from the MV Matthew, a Panamanian-registered bulk carrier, had an estimated value of more than €157m (£135m)

Eight men have been jailed for their roles in trying to smuggle 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth more than €157m (£135m).

The drugs were found off the Irish coast on board Panamanian cargo ship, the MV Matthew, in September 2023.

It was the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history.

The men, who were part of international operation, received sentences varying in length from 13 and a half to 20 years.

Six of them had been on board the MV Matthew.

The highest jail terms were given to Dutch national Cumali Ozgen, who was jailed for 20 years, and Filipino Harold Estoesta, who was jailed for 18 years.

The ship was boarded in a dramatic operation by the Army Rangers, a specialist wing of the Irish Defence Forces, in September 2023, after the ship failed to stop following warning shots.

In February 2025, four men – Ukrainians Mykhailo Gavryk, 32, and Vitaliy Vlasoi, 32; Iranian Soheil Jelveh, 51, and Dutch national 49-year-old Cumali Ozgen – pleaded guilty to having 2.2 tonnes of cocaine for supply on board the ship.

The ship was boarded by the Army Rangers

PA Media Army Rangers pictured onboard multiple levels of the MV Matthew, large white multi level decking area with ladders connecting them — The ship was boarded by the Army Rangers

Two other defendants – Iranian Saeid Hassani, 39, and Filipino Harold Estoesta, 31 – had also pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine for sale or supply on board the MV Matthew.

The MV Matthew had been tracked by the Irish authorities for a few days before the seizure

AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA Piles of packages wrapped in black plastic in front of three signs saying 'joint task force' — The MV Matthew had been tracked by the Irish authorities for a few days before the seizure

Ukrainian national Vitaliy Lapa, 62, with an address at Rudenka, Repina Str in Berdyansk, and UK national Jamie Harbron, 31, of South Avenue, Billingham, County Durham, also pleaded guilty to attempting to possess cocaine for sale or supply in September 2023 in relation to the same shipment.