Ship docked at Limerick port to be searched after massive haul of cocaine discovered

David Raleigh

A major security operation involving Revenue Customs Service officials, supported by An Garda Siochana, following a massive cocaine seizure Tuesday, is continuing on Wednesday morning at Foynes Port, Co Limerick.

It’s understood around 300kg of cocaine was discovered in a bale on a cargo ship at the Port, and that it was connected to a beacon, which indicates the haul was possibly to be picked up by another vessel.

The cargo bulk carrier is flying under a southern European flag and is understood to have started its route to Foynes from a port in Canada on December 9th.

It arrived at Foynes at around 10.30am on Tuesday morning.

The 20 thousand tonne vessel is believed to have been carrying a cargo of grain.

A reliable security source said it appeared that a “significant” volume of drugs was discovered on board.

It is estimated the drugs haul has at least a street value of €20million.

Senior Garda sources remained tight-lipped on the operation which they described as “very much a live operation” and one that was “being led by Revenue”.

A Revenue Customs Service spokesman confirmed that it was “undertaking a live operation” tonight, but would not disclose any details.

“No further comment is available at this time,” the spokesman added.

It is the second large cocaine seizure in the State in a few months.

Last September 2,000kg of cocaine, worth €157 million - the largest seizure of its kind in the history of the State - was recovered when the bulk carrier, MV Mathew, was seized by authorities off the coast of Co Cork.