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. 10377Conspiracy to import cocaine · Co. Kerry · 12 Jan 2025

Seven men jailed over conspiracy to import €42m of cocaine

Between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025, seven men conspired to import over 600kg of cocaine worth an estimated €42m into Ireland. Three Filipino men, Hanz Pangahin, 36, Christopher Ampo, 44, and Feljon Lao, 29, were on the MV Royal, which docked off the coast of Co Clare, while four men with addresses in the UK formed a landing cell to collect the drugs by inflatable boat. Four men were arrested on a rigid inflatable boat at Meenogahane pier in Co Kerry on 12 January 2025, and all seven later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import drugs. On 23 March 2026 the Special Criminal Court jailed the men for between ten and 12 years, with each of the three Filipino men receiving ten and a half years and Miljan Koprivica, 46, receiving 12 years.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Seven men were jailed for conspiring to import over 600kg of cocaine worth an estimated €42m into Ireland.
  • The cocaine was in 24 bags secured in the front of the MV Royal, which sailed under a Maltese flag.
Where
  • The drugs travelled from the Amazon, and the ship docked off the coast of Co Clare.
  • Four men were arrested after arriving back on a rigid inflatable boat at Meenogahane pier in north Kerry.
When
  • The conspiracy ran between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025.
  • The four men were arrested on 12 January 2025.
Cause
Four men with addresses in the UK, including Miljan Koprivica of Manchester, formed a landing cell to collect the drugs and transport them to Co Kerry.
Investigation
  • Seized phones were examined, which led gardaí to identify the MV Royal.
  • Analysis of encrypted EncroChat phones showed the three Filipino crew were each to be paid the equivalent of €138,558 if the operation succeeded.
Charges
All seven men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import drugs.
In court
The judge described the operation as a sophisticated international drugs cartel operation and said the guilty pleas were significant because a trial would have been complicated and lengthy.
Sentence
  • Hanz Pangahin, Christopher Ampo and Feljon Lao were each sentenced to ten and a half years in prison.
  • Miljan Koprivica was sentenced to 12 years in prison.
  • Conor Costello, Gary Monks and Ryan Watson were jailed, with sentences reported only as between ten and 12 years for all seven men.
12 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatSeven men were jailed for conspiring to import over 600kg of cocaine worth an estimated €42m. (rte.ie)
  • whatThe cocaine was in 24 bags secured in the front of the ship, which sailed under a Maltese flag. (rte.ie)
  • whereThe ship carrying the drugs docked off the coast of Co Clare. (rte.ie)
  • whereFour men were arrested on a rigid inflatable boat at Meenogahane pier in Co Kerry on 12 January. (rte.ie)
  • whenThe conspiracy ran between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. (rte.ie)
  • investigationSeized phones were examined, which led gardaí to identify the MV Royal. (rte.ie)
  • investigationAnalysis of encrypted EncroChat phones showed the three Filipino crew were each to be paid the equivalent of €138,558 if the operation was successful. (rte.ie)
  • chargeAll seven men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import drugs. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the operation as a sophisticated international drugs cartel operation. (rte.ie)
  • courtThe judge said the guilty pleas were significant because a trial would have been complicated and lengthy. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceThe three Filipino men were each sentenced to ten and a half years in prison. (rte.ie)
  • sentenceMiljan Koprivica was sentenced to 12 years in prison. (rte.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Mar2026
    Sentencedrte.ie, first report
    Seven jailed over conspiracy to import cocaine worth €42m

    Sentencing of all seven men by the Special Criminal Court, with individual sentences, the sentencing remarks and details of the investigation and the arrests.

    convicted, 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 Laoconvicted, Miljan Koprivica, 46, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Miljan Koprivicaconvicted, Conor Costello, 31, male, named, irish (judged from name)Conor Costelloconvicted, Gary Monks, 40, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Gary Monksconvicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson