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. 1082Possession of controlled drugs (cocaine), drug trafficking · Co. Limerick · 19 Dec 2023

Gardaí conduct UK searches targeting suspects in €21.6m Foynes cocaine seizure

€21.6 million worth of cocaine, comprising 308.6kg in 12 bales, was seized on board the Maltese-registered MV Verila at Foynes Port, Co Limerick, on 19 December 2023. Gardaí believe the drugs were to be dumped overboard at Glin Pier before the vessel docked, as part of an international drug deal organised by a cartel. Two Bulgarian men, Kamen Petkov, 36, and Nikola Penchev, 34, are named as suspects in the case. In August 2025, four simultaneous searches were carried out at locations in Leeds and Sunderland by the Limerick DDU and the UK NCA, during which electronic devices were seized and a number of suspects were interviewed but not arrested. The investigation remains ongoing.

  1. Reported28 Aug
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
€21.6 million worth of cocaine, comprising 308.6kg in 12 bales wrapped into 306 packages, was seized on board the MV Verila at Foynes Port, Co Limerick.
When
The seizure took place on 19 December 2023.
Where
Gardaí believe the drugs were to be dumped overboard at Glin Pier, Co Limerick, before the vessel docked at Foynes.
Other details
  • The MV Verila was a Maltese-registered ship.
  • Gardaí suspect the drugs were to be transported from Ireland to the UK and possibly back into mainland Europe as part of an international drug deal organised by a cartel.
  • Kamen Petkov, a 36-year-old Bulgarian man, and Nikola Penchev, a 34-year-old Bulgarian man, are named as suspects.
  • A number of persons interviewed have suspected associations to a Yorkshire-based organised crime gang linked to international crime.
Investigation
  • Four simultaneous search operations took place at locations in Leeds and Sunderland in August 2025, led by the Limerick DDU with assistance from the UK NCA and involving approximately 30 officers.
  • Mobile phones, digital memory sticks and hard drives were seized during the joint operation.
  • A number of suspects were interviewed but not arrested following the UK searches.
  • Garda intelligence confirmed that a number of individuals travelled to the west Limerick area around the time of the seizure and used water craft to scope out the drop-off location at Glin.
11 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatFour simultaneous search operations took place at locations in Leeds and Sunderland. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe seizure involved €21.6 million worth of cocaine on board the MV Verila at Foynes Port, Co Limerick, on 19 December 2023. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe haul included 12 large bales containing 308.6kg of cocaine wrapped into 306 packages. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatGardaí suspect the drugs were to be transported from Ireland to the UK and possibly back into mainland Europe as part of an international drug deal organised by a Brazilian cartel. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMobile phones, digital memory sticks and hard drives were seized during the joint operation. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereGardaí believe the drugs were to be dumped overboard at Glin Pier, Co Limerick, before the vessel docked at Foynes. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationA number of suspects were interviewed but not arrested following the UK searches. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationApproximately 30 police and Garda officers were involved in the four simultaneous searches in the UK. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGarda intelligence confirmed that a number of individuals travelled to the west Limerick area around the time of the seizure and used water craft to scope out the drop-off location at Glin. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe MV Verila was a Maltese-registered ship. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherA number of persons interviewed have suspected associations to a Yorkshire-based organised crime gang linked to international crime. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 28 Aug2025
    Reportedirishtimes.com, follow-up
    Gardaí target suspected drug traffickers behind €22m cocaine seizure at Foynes Port in 2023

    Describes four simultaneous 'hard entry' searches in Leeds and Sunderland conducted by the Limerick DDU and UK NCA as part of the ongoing investigation into the €21.6m cocaine seizure at Foynes Port; suspects interviewed but not arrested; electronic devices seized; links to a Yorkshire-based organised crime gang and a Brazilian cartel.

    convicted, Kamen Petkov, 36, male, Bulgarian, named, non-irishKamen Petkovconvicted, Nikola Penchev, 34, male, Bulgarian, named, non-irishNikola Penchev