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. 4417Importation and possession of controlled drugs (cocaine) for sale or supply · Co. Cork · 1 Jul 2025

Four men to plead guilty over €31 million cocaine seizure in west Cork

Four men, Mark Doherty (40), Levant Gulay (31), Ben Sandford (39) and Christopher Hibbett (45), were arrested after gardaí, Revenue Customs and the Naval Service seized 440kg of cocaine worth €31 million at Meelmane, Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, on July 1st, 2025. The men were charged in July 2025 with drug offences and possession of a mobile phone or rigid inflatable boat in connection with a crime, and in November 2025 with a further offence of possessing more than €13,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply. On Thursday, December 4th, 2025, all four entered signed guilty pleas to all five charges at Bandon District Court, were sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentence, and were remanded in custody to appear there on February 10th.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In court4 Dec
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Four men were arrested after a drug seizure of 440kg of cocaine valued at €31 million.
Where
The alleged offences took place at Meelmane, Courtmacsherry, Co Cork.
When
The seizure and the alleged offences took place on July 1st, 2025.
Investigation
A joint task force of gardaí, Revenue Customs and the Naval Service carried out the operation.
Charges
  • The four men were charged in July 2025 with importation of drugs at Meelmane, and, according to another account, with possession of cocaine and possession for sale or supply.
  • Mr Doherty and Mr Gulay were charged with possession of mobile phones in connection with the commission of a crime, and Mr Sandford and Mr Hibbett were each charged with possession of a rigid inflatable boat in connection with the commission of a crime.
  • In November 2025 all four men were charged with a further offence of possessing more than €13,000 worth of cocaine for sale or supply, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years.
In court
  • Before the court appearance, the four men had indicated they would plead guilty to a series of charges.
  • On December 4th, 2025, all four men entered signed guilty pleas to all five charges at Bandon District Court.
  • The DPP consented to the men being sent forward for trial on indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, or for sentence if they entered signed guilty pleas, and they were sent forward for sentence.
  • Judge Joanne Carroll remanded all four men in custody to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 10th.
Sentence
No sentence has been reported yet.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFour men arrested after a €31 million drug seizure in west Cork indicated they will plead guilty. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe seizure involved 440kg of cocaine. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe offences were alleged to have taken place at Meelmane, Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, on July 1st, 2025. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationThe operation was a joint task force of gardaí, Revenue Customs and the Naval Service. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeLast month the men were charged with a further offence of possessing more than €13,000-worth of cocaine for sale or supply, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeThe men were charged with importation of drugs at Meelmane on July 1st. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMr Doherty and Mr Levant were charged with possession of mobile phones in connection with the commission of a crime. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeMr Sandford and Mr Hibbett were each charged with possession of a rigid inflatable boat in connection with the commission of a crime. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtAll four entered signed guilty pleas to all five charges at Bandon District Court on Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe DPP consented to the men being sent forward for trial on indictment at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, or for sentence if they entered signed guilty pleas. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Joanne Carroll remanded all four in custody to appear at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on February 10th. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 4 Dec2025
    In courtirishtimes.com, first report
    Four arrested in €31 million west Cork drug bust sign guilty pleas

    Four accused entered signed guilty pleas at Bandon District Court and were sent forward to Cork Circuit Criminal Court for sentence.

    accused, Mark Doherty, 40, male, named, irish (judged from name)Mark Dohertyaccused, Levant Gulay, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Levant Gulayaccused, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandfordaccused, Christopher Hibbett, 45, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Christopher Hibbett