Ireland Crime

Named as

Convicted, accused, suspect

Born

1986, from the ages reported

Offences

Possession of cocaine, Possession of cocaine for sale or supply

Where

Co. Cork

Reporting

6 reports, 3 Jul 2025 to 10 Feb 2026

Outlets

rte.ie, irishtimes.com

Photographs

as published, with the outlet's credit

Images are shown from the outlet that published them and link back to the article. Copyright stays with the credited photographer or agency.

• Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case Possession of cocaine · Co. Cork

  Four men were arrested on 1 July 2025 after 440kg of cocaine worth approximately €31 million was seized from a van stopped in Courtmacsherry, Co Cork, during a joint task force operation. The suspects are Mark Doherty, 40, of Glasgow, Scotland; Levent Gulay, 31, of Neu Ulm, Germany; Ben Sandford, 39, of Keith, Moray, Scotland; and Christopher Hibbett, 44, of Truro, Cornwall, England. All four were charged with possession of cocaine, possession of cocaine for sale or supply, importation of drugs, and possession of items connected with a crime. They entered guilty pleas at Bandon District Court in December 2025 and affirmed them at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on 10 February 2026, where sentencing was adjourned to 12 May.

  In court, 17 Nov 2025Convicted, accused, suspect · 6 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 10 Feb2026
   In courtrte.ie, in Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   convicted, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandford♂39
2. 4 Dec2025
   In courtirishtimes.com, in Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   Four arrested in €31 million west Cork drug bust sign guilty pleas

   accused, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandford♂39
3. 4 Dec2025
   In courtrte.ie, in Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   Four plead guilty over attempt to import drugs worth €31m

   accused, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandford♂39
4. 17 Nov2025
   In courtirishtimes.com, in Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   Fresh charges for men allegedly behind €31m west Cork drugs seizure

   accused, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandford♂39
5. 9 Jul2025
   Chargedirishtimes.com, in Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   Gardaí working with UK National Crime Agency as part of investigation into €31 million West Cork drugs haul

   accused, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandford♂39
6. 3 Jul2025
   Chargedirishtimes.com, in Sentencing adjourned in Cork cocaine importation case

   Four men remanded in custody charged over €31m cocaine seizure in Co Cork

   suspect, Ben Sandford, 39, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ben Sandford♂39

Matched on the name as printed, ignoring quoted nicknames, and split by the ages reported. Two people who share a name and age would appear together here.