Dublin: Eight individuals have been sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin following Ireland’s largest-ever drug seizure—an international operation that has exposed a complex web of organised crime, transnational smuggling, and alleged links to extremist groups. The convictions mark a major milestone in efforts to combat drug trafficking and highlight the growing sophistication of global narcotics networks.
The €157 million drug haul took place in September 2023, when the elite Army Ranger Wing stormed the cargo vessel MV Matthew off the coast of Waterford. The ship, believed to be transporting over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, was intercepted in a high-risk operation involving military, naval, and law enforcement coordination.
The convicted individuals include:
- Zayed Hassani (39), Iranian-born
- Harold Estosta (31), Filipino-born
- Mykhailo Gavrik (32), Ukrainian
- Vitalii Vlasov (32), Ukrainian-born
- Sohail Jelve (51), the Iranian captain of the MV Matthew
- Kumaly Ozgen (49), a Dutch national
The court handed down sentences ranging from 13 to 20 years. Several other crew members, who were found to have no involvement in the smuggling operation, were not prosecuted.
The operation, which required extensive coordination and intelligence-sharing between European and international agencies, was led by An Garda Síochána’s Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau under Detective Superintendent Keith Halley. Critical support came from the EU-UK-funded Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre – Narcotics (MAOC-N), whose ship profiling and real-time communications surveillance helped identify and track the MV Matthew.
The raid was authorised at the highest level, receiving the green light from Minister for Defence Micheál Martin following intelligence warnings.
Hezbollah and Terror Financing Allegations
Authorities believe that the drug operation was not merely a criminal enterprise, but also part of a broader financial pipeline supporting militant activities. Gardaí allege that the Kinahan cartel—an Irish criminal organisation with global reach—was working in coordination with international drug gangs and Iranian intermediaries to fund Hezbollah, a militant group designated as a terrorist organisation by the EU.
Investigators found that €1 million had been paid to a South American cartel for the cocaine shipment, with an intended profit distribution of up to €152 million. Evidence uncovered during the investigation suggests that some of these profits were earmarked for extremist-linked entities.
Sophisticated Smuggling Operation
The MV Matthew, registered to Dubai-based company “Matthew Maritime Incorporated”, was traced back to a shell address in the Marshall Islands. Investigators say the vessel was purchased through intermediaries and repurposed for trafficking. The drugs were collected in Venezuela, using maritime “spoofing” techniques to evade detection.
The plan involved transferring the cocaine at sea to a trawler, Castlemore, for distribution throughout Ireland and Europe. Several individuals, including former Ukrainian fishing boat captain Vitaly Lapa, were deployed in advance to Ireland to prepare for the shipment’s arrival. Lapa was monitored while staying in various hotels across the Republic and Northern Ireland. British national Jamie Harbron, who later cooperated with authorities, was also convicted.
Officials warn that drug routes remain active, with traffickers adapting their networks through ports in Rotterdam, the Irish and UK coasts, and via transit points in Cape Verde and Senegal. Intelligence suggests continued involvement by Dutch and Iranian operatives.
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