Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 5606Drug trafficking (cocaine); organised crime · 26 Sep 2023

Eight men charged over cocaine seizure from MV Matthew given January trial date

Eight men were charged after about 2.25 tonnes of cocaine worth more than €157 million was seized from the MV Matthew in Irish waters off the southeast coast on 26 September 2023. A special forces unit boarded the Panamanian-registered cargo ship, which was then escorted into port. The men face drugs and organised crime charges, and Vitaliy Lapa and Jamie Harbron are accused of possession under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. At a hearing reported on 24 June 2024, Mr Justice Tony Hunt fixed a trial at the Special Criminal Court for 13 January 2025 and set 13 December as the deadline for a guilty plea to count as early in mitigation. The latest development is an adjournment to 21 October for mention by video-link.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court24 Jun
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Eight men have been charged in relation to the largest seizure of drugs in the history of the State.
  • About 2.25 tonnes of cocaine with an estimated value of more than €157 million was seized from the MV Matthew.
Where
The seizure took place in Irish waters off the southeast coast.
When
The MV Matthew was interdicted and detained on 26 September 2023.
Other details
  • The MV Matthew is a Panamanian-registered large bulk carrier.
  • The defence barrister said the case was very complicated.
Investigation
A joint taskforce boarded the cargo ship with a special forces unit, and Army Rangers secured the vessel before it was escorted into port.
Charges
  • The men face drugs and organised crime charges.
  • Vitaliy Lapa and Jamie Harbron are accused of possession of drugs within the State under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
In court
  • The State solicitor successfully applied for all eight men's cases to be heard at the non-jury Special Criminal Court.
  • Mr Justice Tony Hunt fixed a trial date of 13 January 2025.
  • A guilty plea would only be considered an early one in mitigation if entered before 13 December.
  • The matter was adjourned to 21 October for mention by video-link.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatEight men have been charged in relation to the largest seizure of drugs in the history of the State. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAbout 2.25 tonnes of cocaine worth more than €157 million was seized from the MV Matthew in Irish waters in September 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereA cargo ship was boarded by a special forces unit off the southeast coast. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe joint taskforce interdicted and detained the MV Matthew on 26 September 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationArmy Rangers secured the vessel, and the ship was escorted into port. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe men face drugs and organised crime charges. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeVitaliy Lapa and Jamie Harbron are accused of possession of drugs within the State under Section 5 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe State solicitor successfully applied for all eight men's cases to be heard at the non-jury Special Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtMr Justice Tony Hunt fixed a trial date of 13 January 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtA guilty plea would only be considered an early one in mitigation if entered before 13 December. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe matter was adjourned to 21 October for mention by video-link. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe defence barrister said the case was very complicated. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jun2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Eight men charged in relation to State’s largest ever drug seizure given January trial date

    Reports the Special Criminal Court hearing for eight men charged over the MV Matthew cocaine seizure: trial date, plea deadline, adjournment and charges.

    accused, Vitaliy Lapa, 61, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Vitaliy Lapaaccused, Mykhailo Gavryk, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Mykhailo Gavrykaccused, Vitaliy Vlasoi, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Vitaliy Vlasoiaccused, Jamie Harbron, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Jamie Harbronaccused, Soheil Jelveh, 49, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Soheil Jelvehaccused, Harold Estoesta, 30, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Harold Estoestaaccused, Saeid Hassani, 38, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Saeid Hassaniaccused, Cumali Ozgen, 49, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Cumali Ozgen