Ireland Woman in her 30s arrested over logistics of MV Matthew cocaine smuggling gang
A woman in her 30s, described by sources as a bar worker, was arrested in Dublin on Tuesday 5 December 2023 in connection with the MV Matthew cocaine seizure. The 2.2 tonnes of cocaine were seized from the Panamanian-registered cargo ship off the coast of County Cork on Tuesday 26 September 2023, in what was described as the biggest cocaine seizure by weight in Irish history. Gardaí and PSNI detectives carried out coordinated searches in both jurisdictions, including in Newry, Co Down, and several men have already been charged over the haul. The woman is suspected of involvement in the gang's logistics operation rather than the smuggling itself, and the Kinahan cartel is suspected of helping to finance the operation. As of the latest report she was detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at a Garda station in the Dublin Region, where she can be held for up to a week.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested6 Dec
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A woman in her 30s was arrested after a cross-border operation by gardaí and PSNI detectives.
- The seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine was the biggest cocaine seizure by weight in Irish history.
- Where
- The cocaine was seized from the Panamanian-registered cargo vessel MV Matthew off the coast of County Cork.
- She was arrested in Dublin by DOCB detectives.
- When
- The cocaine was seized on Tuesday 26 September 2023.
- The woman was arrested on Tuesday 5 December 2023.
- Investigation
- Coordinated search operations were conducted in both jurisdictions on Tuesday 5 December 2023, with PSNI detectives searching in Newry, Co Down.
- Several men have already been charged over the haul.
- The woman is suspected of involvement in the gang's logistics operation, not the smuggling operation itself.
- Other details
- The Kinahan cartel is suspected of helping to finance the operation.
- The woman is described by sources as a bar worker.
- She is detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at a Garda station in the Dublin Region.
- She can be detained for up to a week.
12 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe woman in her 30s was arrested after a cross-border operation by gardaí and PSNI detectives. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe seizure was the biggest cocaine seizure by weight in Irish history, at 2.2 tonnes. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was arrested in Dublin by DOCB detectives. (irishmirror.ie)
- wherePSNI detectives carried out searches in Newry, Co Down. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe cocaine was seized from a cargo ship off the coast of County Cork on Tuesday 26 September 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenGardaí made their move on the woman on Tuesday 5 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationCoordinated search operations were conducted in both jurisdictions on Tuesday 5 December 2023. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationSeveral men have already been charged over the haul. (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeShe is currently detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, at a Garda station in the Dublin Region. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherShe is suspected of being involved in the gang's logistics operation, not the smuggling operation itself. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherShe can be detained for up to a week. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe Kinahan cartel is suspected of helping to finance the operation. (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 6 Dec2023Bar worker arrested on suspicion of aiding gang behind MV Matthew cocaine haul
Reports the arrest of a woman in her 30s, held in Dublin under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2007, as part of the investigation into the MV Matthew cocaine seizure. Says she is suspected of involvement in the gang's logistics rather than the smuggling itself, and that the Kinahan cartel is suspected of financing the scheme. Several men have already been charged.
suspect, 30s, female