Ireland Case No. 1271Conspiring to import drugs (cocaine) · Co. Cork · 14 Mar 2024
Court of Appeal refuses bail in Cork cocaine import conspiracy case
Ten men were arrested in March 2024 in Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen, Co Cork, after a modified rigid inflatable boat failed to rendezvous with a mothership off the south coast and vehicles were intercepted at Tragumna Pier following a tip-off from a member of the public. They were charged with conspiring to import controlled drugs worth in excess of €13,000 between 27 February and 14 March 2024, and 840kg of cocaine valued at between €58 million and €59 million was later found washed up in Denmark. Seven co-accused pleaded guilty and received sentences of between seven and 12 years, while Ali Mazidi, Seán Curran and Raul Tabares Garcia are seeking trial dates. The Court of Appeal refused Garcia's bail appeal in May 2026, agreeing with the High Court that he was a serious flight risk with no connection to the country.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested20 Mar
- Charged21 Mar
- In court21 Mar
6 reports - Verdict
- Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Ten men were arrested in March 2024 in Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen, Co Cork, in a suspected drug smuggling operation.
- A modified 40-ft rigid inflatable boat attempted to rendezvous with a mothership off the south coast to transfer drugs but turned back about 50km from Lizard Point.
- 840kg of cocaine valued at between €58 million and €59 million was found washed up in Denmark in mid-March 2024.
- Where
- Vehicles were intercepted at Tragumna Pier in west Cork after a tip-off from a member of the public, and a campervan was stopped in Leap after a chase along the N71.
- When
- The alleged conspiracy covered the period from 27 February to 14 March 2024, with the pier activity occurring in the early hours of 12 March 2024.
- Charges
- The ten men were charged with conspiring to import controlled drugs worth in excess of €13,000 into the State, contrary to section 15B(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
- Investigation
- Gardaí seized a jeep, camper van, articulated truck and rigid inflatable boat, along with nautical equipment including satellite phones, GPS devices, radios, control panels and wetsuits.
- Investigators believe the group is an international cartel with connections to organised drug smugglers in Iran, and that the operation was run from Spain involving a Colombian cartel.
- In court
- The accused appeared at Bandon, Cork City, Midleton and Bantry District Courts and at the High Court, where three bail applications were refused and seven were adjourned.
- Ali Mazidi, Seán Curran and Raul Tabares Garcia are seeking trial dates, with the matter listed for mention on 28 July 2025.
- The Court of Appeal refused Raul Tabares Garcia's bail appeal in May 2026, agreeing with the High Court that he was a serious flight risk with no connection to the country.
- Sentence
- Seven co-accused pleaded guilty to conspiring to import drugs and received sentences of between seven and 12 years.
- Other details
- The men were detained under specialist anti-gangland legislation, and the total cost of materials including the boat, travel and accommodation was estimated at €700,000.
101 statements extracted from the articles
- whatTen men were arrested in a suspected drug smuggling investigation. (thejournal.ie)
- whatTen men have been charged as part of an ongoing investigation into an alleged organised crime ring. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatSome men were arrested in Tragumna, while seven suspects escaped in a campervan and were stopped in Leap after a chase along the N71. (corkbeo.ie)
- whatTen men were charged with conspiring to import drugs into Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA modified 40-ft inflatable boat was said to have been used to meet a mothership at sea and return with drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- whatTen men were arrested in March 2024 in Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whatA jeep, camper van, articulated truck and rigid inflatable boat were seized (irishtimes.com)
- whatNautical equipment including satellite phones, GPS devices, radios, control panels and wetsuits were found (irishtimes.com)
- what840kg of cocaine valued at €58 million to €59 million was found washed up in Denmark (irishtimes.com)
- whatA notepad was found in the vehicle with co-ordinates for Dromadoon Pier and Rosscarbery Pier and details for six Airbnb and rental properties (irishtimes.com)
- whatA member of the public observed an articulated truck reversing down and a camper van and other vehicles about 50 metres away (irishtimes.com)
- whatHoldall bags were transferred from the RIB to the pier (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe articulated truck, trailer and black Land Rover were still at the pier where further arrests were made (irishtimes.com)
- whatRaul Tabares Garcia is a 50-year-old Spanish national from Cadiz, Spain (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was one of 10 men arrested by gardaí in March 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- whatNautical equipment including satellite phones, GPS devices, radios, control panels and wetsuits was found (irishtimes.com)
- what840kg of cocaine valued at between €58 and €59 million was found washed up in Denmark (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe arrests took place near Skibbereen in West Cork. (thejournal.ie)
- whereThe raids took place in Tragumna and Leap. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe men had arrived in West Cork separately in small groups. (corkbeo.ie)
- whereThe ten men were arrested in Tragumna near Skibbereen and Leap village in west Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe men were arrested in west Cork after gardaí stopped vehicles at Tragumna Pier and in Leap. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe boat had been brought to a yard in Omagh, Co Tyrone, where Seán Curran worked. (irishtimes.com)
- whereVehicles were intercepted at Tragumna Pier in Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whereVehicles were intercepted by gardaí at Tragumna Pier in Cork after a tip off from a member of the public. (rte.ie)
- whereThe arrest took place in the villages of Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen in west Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe arrests took place on the Thursday before the article was published. (thejournal.ie)
- whenThe alleged conspiracy took place on dates between February 27 and March 14. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe alleged conspiracy covered the period from 27 February to 14 March. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí were alerted to vehicles at Tragumna Pier in the early hours of March 12th. (irishtimes.com)
- whenOn 27 February 2024, gardaí conducted a checkpoint at Gully in Bandon, Co Cork (irishtimes.com)
- whenOn 12 March 2024, gardaí received confidential information about suspicious activity at Tragumna Pier (irishtimes.com)
- whenTwo days after 12 March, the campervan was observed leaving an Airbnb near Leap and entering the Tragumna area shortly after midnight (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt around 5am the Land Rover and articulated truck appeared at the slipway at Tragumna and 10 minutes later a black RIB was observed (irishtimes.com)
- whenAt 7.20am, five defendants and one other man were detained and the white camper van was seized (irishtimes.com)
- whenTen men were arrested in March 2024 during operations in Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen. (rte.ie)
- whenThe ship had passed an area in Denmark in mid-March 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- causeA rigid inflatable boat tried and failed to rendezvous with a ship off the south coast to smuggle drugs into the country. (rte.ie)
- investigationGardaí seized an SUV, camper van, articulated truck and a high speed rigid hulled inflatable boat. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationA naval dive team searched the seabed off a beach in West Cork and found no drugs. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationInvestigators believe the men were involved in a transfer of drugs from a mother ship. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationOfficers are questioning the men and examining their phones, laptops and other devices. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationInvestigators believe the group is an international cartel with connections to organised drug smugglers in Iran. (thejournal.ie)
- investigationThe Garda National Drugs Unit had the men under surveillance before moving in on Thursday. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationDuring the raids, Gardaí seized electronic devices, including phones of people in the Tragumna area. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationThe Irish Defence Forces are assisting Gardaí in searching the West Cork coastline. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationInterpol and the Maritime Analysis and Operational Centre in Portugal are involved in the operation. (corkbeo.ie)
- investigationTen people were arrested in connection with the alleged conspiracy. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe arrests were part of an operation into alleged organised crime. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí arrested 10 men in Tragumna, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationA concerned citizen alerted gardaí about vehicles at Tragumna Pier. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí believe the incident was part of a sophisticated operation by an international crime group. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí recovered walkie-talkies, personal phones, satellite burner phones and maritime clothing. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe total cost of materials, including the boat, travel and accommodation, was estimated at €700,000. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí stopped two men at a checkpoint in Gully, Bandon, on 27 February 2024 and found a notepad with coordinates for piers and rental property details. (rte.ie)
- investigationThe RIB turned back when about 50km from Lizard Point, still about 100km from the Cool Explorer. (rte.ie)
- chargeThe ten men were charged with alleged offences in connection with the investigation. (corkbeo.ie)
- chargeThe accused are alleged to have conspired to import controlled drugs in excess of €13,000. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe charge is contrary to section 15B(1) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 as amended. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe men are charged with conspiracy to import controlled drugs worth more than €13,000 into the State. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe men were charged with conspiring to import drugs into Ireland. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe drugs were alleged to be worth in excess of €13,000. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeFive men previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to import drugs (irishtimes.com)
- chargePedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega (36) and Angel Serran Padilla (40) pleaded guilty to conspiring to import drugs (irishtimes.com)
- chargePedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega and Angel Serran Padilla pleaded guilty to conspiring to import controlled drugs worth over €13,000 between 27 February and 14 March 2024. (rte.ie)
- chargeFive other accused had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to import drugs. (rte.ie)
- chargeGarcia is charged with conspiring to import drugs worth in excess of €13,000 between 27 February and 14 March 2024 (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe men are due to appear before several district courts in separseparate hearings. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe men were split across Bandon, Cork City and Midleton District Courts. (corkbeo.ie)
- courtThe accused appeared at three different court sittings on the Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail was not available on the charge at district court level. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFour accused were remanded in custody to appear at Bantry District Court the following Wednesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFour other accused were remanded in custody to Cork District Court on March 27. (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwo accused were remanded in custody to appear at Mallow District Court by video link on March 26. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe detention of the Midleton accused was extended at Bandon sittings on March 15 and March 18. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe four men appeared at Bantry District Court and were remanded in custody for four weeks. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe men were remanded in custody to appear again at Bantry District Court on 24 April. (irishtimes.com)
- courtTwo other people charged in the matter consented to a further four-week period in custody. (irishtimes.com)
- courtFour other people charged in the matter plan to apply for bail in the High Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDefence solicitors said bail applications would be made at the High Court for some accused at Cork District Court. (irishtimes.com)
- courtMs Justice Karen O’Connor said she was not satisfied she could grant bail. (irishtimes.com)
- courtBail applications for three of the accused were refused. (irishtimes.com)
- courtSeven of the bail applications were adjourned until the following Friday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe State said there were concerns the accused would not turn up for trial and could interfere with evidence or witnesses if released. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThree co-accused – Ali Ghasemi Mazidi (50), Sean Curran (37), and Raul Tabares Garcia (48) – are seeking trial dates (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing hearing continues on Tuesday (irishtimes.com)
- courtCounsel for Ali Ghasemi Mazidi, Sean Curran and Raul Tabares Garcia said their clients were seeking trial dates. (rte.ie)
- courtThe matter was listed for mention on Monday 28 July with a view to listing a trial date. (rte.ie)
- courtJudge Alexander Owens at the Court of Appeal refused the bail appeal (irishtimes.com)
- courtOwens stated the defendant would not attend his trial if granted bail and has no connection with the country (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceSeven co-accused pleaded guilty and received sentences of between seven and 12 years (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe men were detained under specialist anti-gangland legislation, which allows questioning for a maximum of a week. (thejournal.ie)
- otherThe suspects must be charged or released after seven days. (thejournal.ie)
- otherGardaí seized a campervan, an SUV and an articulated lorry containing a power boat and diving equipment. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherIt is believed a large amount of cocaine was dumped off an unknown mothership. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherSix of the men arrested are Spanish, two are Dutch and two are Serbian. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherGardaí suspect the operation was run from Spain and involved a Colombian cartel. (corkbeo.ie)
- otherAll four accused before Bandon District Court were granted free legal aid. (irishtimes.com)
- otherGarda Armed Support Units were posted to the courthouse for the proceedings. (irishtimes.com)
- other840kg of cocaine valued at €58 million to €59 million was later found washed up in Denmark. (rte.ie)
- otherGarcia provided an address in Dundalk where his wife was living (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 22 May2026Man accused of role in smuggling cocaine worth nearly €60m into Ireland loses bail appeal
Court of Appeal (Judge Alexander Owens) refused Garcia's bail appeal, agreeing with the High Court (Judge Eileen Creedon) that he is a serious flight risk. Details of the smuggling operation, the 840kg cocaine found in Denmark, and the sentences of seven co-accused are provided.
accused, Raul Tabares Garcia, 50, male, Spanish, named, non-irishRaul Tabares Garciaaccused, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, male, Spanish, named, non-irishMario Angel Del Rio Sanzaccused, Anuar Rahui Chairi, male, Spanish, named, non-irishAnuar Rahui Chairiaccused, Aleksandar Milic, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Aleksandar Milicaccused, Kiumaars Ghabiri, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kiumaars Ghabiriaccused, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, male, Spanish, named, non-irishPedro Pablo Ojeda Ortegaaccused, Angel Serran Padilla, male, Spanish, named, non-irishAngel Serran Padilla - 22 Jul2025Tip off led gardaí to west Cork drug smuggling bid
Adds details of the court hearing on 21 July 2025: the two guilty pleas, the charge wording, the three accused seeking trial dates, the mention date, and the evidence presented on the Tragumna Pier interception, the RIB and the Cool Explorer.
accused, Juan Antonio Gallardo Barroso, 56, male, namedJuan Antonio Gallardo Barrosoaccused, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, male, namedMario Angel Del Rio Sanzaccused, Anuar Rahui Chairi, 42, male, namedAnuar Rahui Chairiaccused, Aleksandar Milic, 27, male, namedAleksandar Milicaccused, Kiumaars Ghabiri, 52, male, namedKiumaars Ghabiriaccused, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, 36, male, namedPedro Pablo Ojeda Ortegaaccused, Angel Serran Padilla, 40, male, namedAngel Serran Padillaaccused, Ali Ghasemi Mazidi, 50, male, namedAli Ghasemi Mazidiaccused, Sean Curran, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Curranaccused, Raul Tabares Garcia, 48, male, namedRaul Tabares Garcia - 21 Jul2025Inflatable boat tried to make rendezvous with ship at sea in bid to import drugs, court hears
Reports two further guilty pleas (Ojeda Ortega and Serran Padilla) and that three co-accused (Mazidi, Curran, Tabares Garcia) are seeking trial dates; provides detailed timeline of the March 2024 operation at Tragumna Pier including the RIB rendezvous attempt and vehicle seizures.
convicted, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mario Angel Del Rio Sanzconvicted, Anuar Rahui Chairi, 42, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Anuar Rahui Chairiconvicted, Juan Antonio Gallardo Barroso, 56, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Juan Antonio Gallardo Barrosoconvicted, Aleksandar Milic, 27, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Aleksandar Milicconvicted, Kiumaars Ghabiri, 52, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Kiumaars Ghabiriconvicted, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortegaconvicted, Angel Serran Padilla, 40, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Angel Serran Padillaaccused, Ali Ghasemi Mazidi, 50, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ali Ghasemi Mazidiaccused, Sean Curran, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Curranaccused, Raul Tabares Garcia, 48, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Raul Tabares Garcia - 19 Apr2024Boat with ‘stealth capabilities’ left Tragumna pier to meet ‘mothership’ and collect drugs, court told
High Court bail hearing for ten accused. Applications for three men were refused and seven were adjourned to the following Friday. The article gives the arrest date as 14 March and the pier activity as the early hours of 12 March, without a year.
accused, Seán Curran, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Curranaccused, Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, 34, male, namedPedro Padio Ojeda Ortegaaccused, Angel Serran Padilla, 39, male, namedAngel Serran Padillaaccused, Ali Mazidi, 46, male, Dutch, named, non-irishAli Mazidiaccused, Kiumaars Ghabiri, 55, male, Dutch, named, non-irishKiumaars Ghabiriaccused, Alexander Milic, 36, male, Serbian, named, non-irishAlexander Milicaccused, Antonio Gallardo Barrofo, 55, male, namedAntonio Gallardo Barrofoaccused, Raul Tabares, 48, male, namedRaul Tabaresaccused, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 43, male, namedMario Angel Del Rio Sanzaccused, Anuar Rahui, 41, male, namedAnuar Rahui - 27 Mar2024Four men accused of conspiring to import drugs remanded in custody for four weeks
Reports the Bantry and Cork District Court appearances of the accused, the four-week custody extensions, and the planned High Court bail applications. Gives the names, ages and addresses of the accused.
accused, Seán Curran, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Seán Curranaccused, Kiumaars Ghaibiri, 51, male, namedKiumaars Ghaibiriaccused, Ali Mazidi, 49, male, namedAli Mazidiaccused, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, male, namedMario Angel Del Rio Sanzaccused, Juan Antonio Gallardo, 55, male, namedJuan Antonio Gallardoaccused, Aleksander Milic, 26, male, namedAleksander Milicaccused, Angel Serran Padilla, 39, male, namedAngel Serran Padillaaccused, Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, 35, male, namedPedro Padio Ojeda Ortegaaccused, Raul Garcia Tabares, 48, male, namedRaul Garcia Tabaresaccused, Anuar Rahui, 41, male, namedAnuar Rahui - 21 Mar2024Ten charged with conspiring to import drugs in west Cork
Names the ten accused and their nationalities and ages, the alleged conspiracy period and value, the charge sections, and the remand dates. No existing case in the list covers this west Cork arrest or charge.
accused, Ali Mazidi, 46, male, Dutch, named, non-irishAli Mazidiaccused, Kumaars Ghabiri, 55, male, Dutch, named, non-irishKumaars Ghabiriaccused, Alexander Milic, 36, male, Serbian, named, non-irishAlexander Milicaccused, Sean Curran, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Sean Curranaccused, Antonio Gallarzo Barrofo, 55, male, namedAntonio Gallarzo Barrofoaccused, Raul Tabares, 48, male, namedRaul Tabaresaccused, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 43, male, namedMario Angel Del Rio Sanzaccused, Pedro Padio Ojeda Ortega, 34, male, namedPedro Padio Ojeda Ortegaaccused, Angel Serran Padilla, 39, male, namedAngel Serran Padillaaccused, Anuar Rahui, 41, male, namedAnuar Rahui - 21 Mar2024Ten men charged in connection with suspected West Cork drug smuggling operation
Adds the charging of ten men, the court venues, and details of the Tragumna and Leap raids and the wider investigation. No existing case covers this operation.
accused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, maleaccused, male - 20 Mar2024No drugs found as naval divers complete search of bay at centre of cocaine smuggling probe
First report of the arrests of ten men near Skibbereen. Adds the naval dive search of the bay that found no drugs, seizures of vehicles and a boat, investigators' belief about a transfer from a mother ship, and the international links being examined.
suspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male