Sailor, 30, charged in connection with drugs haul off the coast of Cork

A thirty year old sailor has been charged in connection with the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine with a street value of over €157 million from the Panamanian registered bulk carrier MV Matthew off the coast of Cork last month.

Harold Estoesta appeared before a sitting of Midleton District Court in Co Cork this morning. 

He was charged that he did conspire on the 24th of September last in the State with one or more persons to do an act that constitutes a serious offence, namely did have in his possession one or more controlled drugs, cocaine, for the purpose of supplying the drugs and with the drug having a value of in excess of €13,000.

The alleged offence is in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 and Section 5 and 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.

The Filipino national was arrested on Wednesday on board the MV Matthew and subsequently questioned at Cobh Garda Station in Co Cork. 

He was arrested under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act which allows gardaí to detain suspects for up to a week before they have to be formally charged or released without charge.

Evidence of arrest charge and caution was given by Garda Redmond O’Leary of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. He said that he charged Mr Estoesta yesterday at Cobh Garda Station at 5.05pm.

He said when charged under caution Mr Estoesta replied : “I believed that I just followed the orders of my seniors. I was also tricked and informed that there were spare parts. I wish to defend myself against an accusation. I believe I am innocent and deserve to be free.” 

A statement of means was handed in to the court and the issue of legal aid will be addressed on a later date. Mr Aidan Desmond, the solicitor of the accused, asked that his client be allowed to meet with his consular officials. Judge Colm Roberts said that there would be no difficulty with same.

Garda Majella O’Sullivan made an application that Mr Estoesta be remanded in custody until October 10th next to appear before Mallow District Court by video link. Judge Roberts remanded the man in custody until his next court appearance. Bail cannot be applied for at district court level in a case of this nature.

Meanwhile, seven other people have been charged in connection with the seizure which is the biggest drugs haul in the history of the State.

Four men appeared before Mallow District Court on Tuesday where they were charged with conspiring with others to possess over €13,000 worth of cocaine within the state with intent to supply it to others.

The captain of the MV Matthew was charged with three offences the previous day. He appeared in Wexford District Court where he was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale or supply and importing cocaine with a street value in excess of €13,000.

On Friday of last week two men were charged at Waterford District Court with conspiracy to import drugs. All off the alleged offences relate to the seizure on September 24th last. The men were all remanded in custody to appear in court on various dates later this month.