Ireland Crew member returned for trial over MV Matthew cocaine seizure off Cork
On September 26, 2023, Army Rangers boarded the freighter MV Matthew at sea off the east Cork coast during a Joint Task Force operation involving customs, gardaí and the navy, and over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth €157 million was seized. Harold Estoesta, a 30-year-old Filipino national and crew member aboard the ship, was arrested and charged with conspiring with others to possess cocaine for supply, an offence dated September 24, 2023. The DPP directed that he be tried on indictment at Circuit Court level, and Judge John King granted the state's application to remand him in custody. On March 5, 2024, Estoesta became the first accused returned for trial by judge and jury over the seizure, and he was remanded to Mallow District Court for service of the book of evidence.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In court5 Mar
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth €157 million was seized aboard the freighter MV Matthew off Cork.
- Where
- The MV Matthew was detained at sea off the coast of east Cork.
- When
- Army Rangers boarded the MV Matthew in the early hours of September 26, 2023.
- The charged offence is dated September 24, 2023.
- Investigation
- The seizure was a Joint Task Force operation involving customs, gardaí and the navy.
- Gardaí received DPP directions on the matter.
- Other details
- Harold Estoesta, a 30-year-old Filipino national, was a crew member aboard the MV Matthew.
- When charged, Estoesta said he followed the orders of his seniors, was told the cargo was spare parts, and believed he was innocent.
- Estoesta is the sixth crew member of the MV Matthew to be charged.
- Charges
- Estoesta was arrested and charged with conspiring with others to possess cocaine worth more than €13,000 in the state for supply, contrary to Section 15A of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
- In court
- The DPP directed that Estoesta be tried on indictment at Circuit Court level before a judge and jury.
- Judge John King granted the state's application to remand Estoesta in custody.
- The Irish Times reported that Estoesta was remanded to Mallow District Court for service of the book of evidence.
- On March 5, 2024, Estoesta became the first accused returned for trial by judge and jury over the MV Matthew seizure.
10 statements extracted from the articles
- whatOver 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, worth €157 million, was seized aboard a freighter off Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe MV Matthew was detained off the coast of east Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe MV Matthew was boarded in the early hours of September 26th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí received DPP directions on the matter. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeEstoesta was charged with conspiring with others to possess cocaine worth more than €13,000 in the state for supply on September 24th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe DPP directed that Estoesta be tried on indictment at Circuit Court level before a judge and jury. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge John King granted the state's application for a remand in custody. (irishtimes.com)
- otherEstoesta was a crew member aboard the MV Matthew. (irishtimes.com)
- otherEstoesta said he followed orders and believed he was innocent. (irishtimes.com)
- otherEstoesta was the sixth crew member of the MV Matthew to be charged. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 5 Mar2024‘I just followed the orders’: Man returned for trial in relation to €157m Cork cocaine seizure
First accused returned for trial by judge and jury over the MV Matthew seizure, the biggest cocaine seizure in the state's history. Estoesta gave a statement when charged and was remanded to Mallow District Court for service of the book of evidence.
accused, Harold Estoesta, 30, male, Filipino, named, non-irishHarold Estoesta