Thursday 29 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. 10702Importation of cocaine (conspiracy to import drugs)

Seven men jailed for cocaine importation, Special Criminal Court

Seven men, aged between 29 and 46 and including three Filipino men, were convicted at the Special Criminal Court of conspiring to import cocaine into the State. The offences were committed on dates between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, and the operation involved use of Ireland's coastline and an estimated €42m of cocaine. All seven pleaded guilty, and Ms Justice Karen O'Connor, presiding over a three-judge court, sentenced them to terms of between 10.5 and 12 years, as reported on 1 March 2026. The judge said the operation was planned by an international drugs cartel operating at a very high level and that a significant deterrent was needed.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced1 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Seven men were jailed for conspiring to import cocaine into the State.
  • The operation resulted in the successful importation of an estimated €42m worth of cocaine.
  • It is estimated the men imported between 400 and 600 kg of cocaine.
Where
The offending involved the use of Ireland's coastline to import drugs.
When
The conspiracy offences were committed on dates between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025.
Cause
Each of the seven travelled to Ireland to take part in serious criminality.
Investigation
  • The suspects are Gary Monks, Miljan Koprivica, Conor Costello, Ryan Watson, Hanz Pangahin, Christopher Ampo and Feljon Lao, aged 41, 46, 31, 32, 36, 44 and 29 respectively.
  • Pangahin, Ampo and Lao are stated to be Filipino; no nationality is given in the facts for the other four men.
Charges
  • All seven pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to import drugs in excess of €13,000 into the State.
  • The offences are contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.
In court
Ms Justice Karen O'Connor presided over the three-judge Special Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Costello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin were each sentenced to 10.5 years, and Koprivica (also spelled Kopravica) was sentenced to 12 years.
  • Monks will serve ten years.
Other details
  • The judge said the operation was planned by an international drugs cartel operating at a very high level.
  • The judge said a significant deterrent was needed both globally and nationally.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe Special Criminal Court jailed seven cocaine smugglers for terms between 10.5 and 12 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatThe operation ended in the successful importation of an estimated €42m worth of cocaine. (thejournal.ie)
  • whatIt is estimated the men imported between 400 and 600 kg of cocaine. (thejournal.ie)
  • whereThe offending involved the use of Ireland's coastline to import drugs. (thejournal.ie)
  • whenThe conspiracy offences were committed on dates between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. (thejournal.ie)
  • causeEach of the seven travelled to Ireland to take part in serious criminality. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeAll seven pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to import drugs in excess of €13,000 into the State. (thejournal.ie)
  • chargeThe offences are contrary to section 71 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006. (thejournal.ie)
  • courtMs Justice Karen O'Connor presided at the three-judge court. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceCostello, Watson, Lao, Ampo and Pangahin were each sentenced to 10.5 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceKopravica was sentenced to 12 years. (thejournal.ie)
  • sentenceMonks will serve ten years. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said the operation was planned by an international drugs cartel operating at a very high level. (thejournal.ie)
  • otherThe judge said a significant deterrent was needed both globally and nationally. (thejournal.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 1 Mar2026
    Sentencedthejournal.ie, first report
    Seven cocaine smugglers jailed for between 10.5 and 12 years as a ‘significant deterrent’

    Sentencing report for seven men convicted of conspiring to import cocaine, with sentences ranging from 10.5 to 12 years; the article gives no county or single incident date.

    convicted, Gary Monks, 41, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Gary Monksconvicted, Miljan Koprivica, 46, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Miljan Koprivicaconvicted, Conor Costello, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor Costelloconvicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watsonconvicted, Hanz Pangahin, 36, male, Filipino, named, non-irishHanz Pangahinconvicted, Christopher Ampo, 44, male, Filipino, named, non-irishChristopher Ampoconvicted, Feljon Lao, 29, male, Filipino, named, non-irishFeljon Lao