Eight Sentenced to Prison in Connection with Record Drug Bust Aboard the Merchant Bulker Matthew

In a landmark case, eight individuals have been sentenced to spend over a decade in prison following their involvement in the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history aboard the merchant bulker Matthew.

The incident unfolded in September 2023 when Irish authorities received intelligence about a planned drug handoff between the bulker Matthew and the small trawler Castlemore off the coast of Cork. The Irish Navy patrol vessel William Butler Yeats was deployed to monitor the situation.

On September 26, the Yeats was tasked with intercepting the bulker Matthew which failed to comply with orders to head to the port of Cork. Warning shots were fired by the Yeats to enforce compliance, but the bulker disregarded them.

Subsequently, Irish Army Ranger Wing commandos boarded the Matthew via helicopter to take control of the situation. Despite the challenges faced during the boarding, the team successfully secured the vessel within minutes, preventing the crew from destroying the illicit cargo.

The operation led to the seizure of 2,200 kilos of cocaine with an estimated value of $170 million. Six individuals on board the bulker were arrested and pleaded guilty to smuggling charges, while two individuals on shore also confessed to attempted drug smuggling.

During sentencing, the court considered the involvement of a transnational drug cartel in the operation, leading to harsher penalties for the accused. The judge handed down a 20-year sentence to crewmember Cumali “Jimmy” Ozgen, identified as the ringleader, while the other defendants received sentences ranging from 13.5 to 18 years.

Authorities suspect that a portion of the confiscated cocaine was destined for other markets following its arrival in Ireland, highlighting the global reach of drug trafficking networks.