Ten men remain in custody over suspected west Cork drug smuggling operation

James Cox

Ten men remain in custody this morning over an investigation into a suspected drug smuggling operation off west Cork.

Gardaí are trying to trace the mothership which they believe was intending to offload a large consignment of drugs.

An articulated lorry, an RIB and a camper van were seized, along with mobile phones, electronic devices and computers.

The Irish Examiner reports the operation was an attempt to smuggle in up to two tonnes of cocaine, by Dutch and Iranian crime bosses and possibly involving Lebanese militan group Hezbollah.

Sources told the Irish Examiner that Ireland is seen as a “point of least resistance” into the European market for crime gangs.

"Ireland is being assessed by them as the point of least resistance due to the publicity over the last year and more about the lack of naval resources patrolling Irish-controlled waters. Hence they are coming this way.”