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. 5919Drug trafficking (cocaine); conspiracy to possess cocaine for sale or supply; criminal organisation offence · Co. Cork · 26 Sep 2023

Five crew members charged over 2.2-tonne cocaine seizure from MV Matthew to be tried at Special Criminal Court

On September 26th 2023, Army Rangers boarded the container ship MV Matthew at sea off the east Cork coast in the early hours, in a joint taskforce operation, and more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated €157 million was seized. Five crew members were arrested: Ukrainians Myhailo Gavryk (31) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (31), Iranian Saeid Hassani (38), Dutch national Cumali Ozgen (49) and Filipino Harold Estoesta. The five had already been charged with conspiring to possess cocaine for sale or supply within the State, and four were later also charged with being knowingly involved in a criminal organisation, which Mr Hassani said he did not accept. On May 7th 2024 all five appeared at Mallow District Court, where the DPP directed trial at the Special Criminal Court and the State sought a continuing remand in custody until May 21st. The judge's latest step was to adjourn the matter to May 14th for mention.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court7 May
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated €157 million was seized.
Where
Five crew members were arrested aboard the container ship MV Matthew off the east Cork coast.
When
The ship was boarded at sea in the early hours of September 26th 2023.
Investigation
The seizure was a joint taskforce operation involving customs, gardaí and the Naval Service, with Army Rangers boarding the ship.
Other details
  • The accused are Myhailo Gavryk (31) and Vitaliy Vlasoi (31), Ukrainians, Saeid Hassani (38), an Iranian, Cumali Ozgen (49), a Dutch national, and Harold Estoesta, a Filipino.
  • Mr Hassani said he did not accept the new charge.
  • The judge said the court was not very impressed by the last-minute nature of the new charge.
  • The book of evidence is due to be served on May 21st at Mallow District Court.
Charges
  • The five were charged with conspiring with others to possess cocaine for sale or supply within the State, a charge dated September 24th 2023.
  • Four of the accused were charged with being knowingly involved in the activities of a criminal organisation.
In court
  • All five appeared at Mallow District Court on May 7th 2024.
  • The DPP directed trial by indictment at the Special Criminal Court for all five.
  • The State applied for a continuing remand in custody until May 21st.
  • The judge adjourned the matter until May 14th for mention.
13 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMore than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated €157 million was seized. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereFive men were arrested aboard a container ship off the Cork coast. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe ship was boarded off the coast of east Cork. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe ship was boarded in the early hours of September 26th 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe seizure was a joint taskforce operation involving customs, gardaí and the Naval Service. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe five had already been charged with conspiring to possess cocaine for sale or supply within the State. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeFour of the accused were charged with being knowingly involved in the activities of a criminal organisation. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAll five appeared at Mallow District Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP directed trial by indictment at the Special Criminal Court for all five. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe State applied for a continuing remand in custody until May 21st. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe judge adjourned the matter until May 14th for mention. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherMr Hassani said he did not accept the new charge. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe judge said the court was not very impressed by the last-minute nature of the new charge. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 7 May2024
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Men charged over State’s biggest drug seizure to be tried at the Special Criminal Court

    Reports that the DPP directed trial at the Special Criminal Court for all five, that four were charged with a new offence of being involved in a criminal organisation, that the State sought a continuing remand, and that the matter was adjourned to May 14th for mention. Book of evidence is due to be served on May 21st at Mallow District Court.

    accused, Myhailo Gavryk, 31, male, Ukrainian, named, non-irishMyhailo Gavrykaccused, Vitaliy Vlasoi, 31, male, Ukrainian, named, non-irishVitaliy Vlasoiaccused, Saeid Hassani, 38, male, Iranian, named, non-irishSaeid Hassaniaccused, Cumali Ozgen, 49, male, Dutch, named, non-irishCumali Ozgenaccused, Harold Estoesta, male, Filipino, named, non-irishHarold Estoesta