Ireland Crime

Named as

Convicted, accused

Born

Between June 1993 and January 1994, from the ages reported

Offences

Importation of controlled drugs (conspiracy), Conspiracy to import drugs, Conspiracy to import controlled drugs (cocaine)

Where

Co. Dublin, Co. Kerry, Co. Clare

Reporting

10 reports, 17 Jan 2025 to 23 Mar 2026

Outlets

irishtimes.com, rte.ie, thejournal.ie

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.

• Seven jailed for cocaine importation conspiracy in Dublin Importation of controlled drugs (conspiracy) · Co. Dublin

  Seven men were sentenced by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin for conspiring to import an estimated €42 million worth of cocaine, weighing between 400 and 600 kg, into Ireland. The suspects are Gary Monks, 41, Miljan Koprivica, 46, Conor Costello, 31, Ryan Watson, 32, Hanz Pangahin, 36, Christopher Ampo, 44, and Feljon Lao, 29, the last three of whom are Filipino. Guilty pleas were entered between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. The court imposed sentences ranging from 10 to 12 years, with Koprivica receiving 12 years, Monks 10 years, and the remaining five each receiving 10½ years.

  Sentenced, 23 Mar 2026Convicted · 1 report
• Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry Conspiracy to import drugs · Co. Kerry

  An estimated 600kg of cocaine, initially valued at up to €100m and later estimated at €42m, was smuggled from Brazil aboard the Maltese-registered bulk carrier MV Royal and transferred to rigid inflatable boats off the Kerry coast between 11 and 13 January 2025. Four men with UK addresses were arrested at Meenogahane Pier in north Kerry on 13 January, and Filipino seaman Feljon Lao was arrested on the MV Royal in the Shannon Estuary on 15 January. All seven men, including two further Filipino crew members, were charged with conspiracy to import drugs and pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court. In March 2026, the court sentenced the seven to prison terms between 10.5 and 12 years.

  Sentenced, 1 Mar 2026Convicted, accused · 6 reports
• Seven convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine in Co Clare Conspiracy to import controlled drugs (cocaine) · Co. Clare

  Seven men, including three Filipino crew members and four men with UK addresses, conspired to import over 600kg of cocaine worth an estimated €42m into Ireland between 18 December 2024 and 15 January 2025. The drugs were loaded aboard the MV Royal in the Amazon region and the ship docked off the coast of Co Clare. The men were arrested in January 2025 following a joint garda and Revenue operation off the Kerry coast. All seven pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import controlled drugs at the Special Criminal Court and will be sentenced on 23 March 2026.

  Convicted, 19 Jan 2026Convicted, accused · 3 reports

Each entry shows how that report described them.

1. 23 Mar2026
   Sentencedirishtimes.com, in Seven jailed for cocaine importation conspiracy in Dublin

   Smugglers who brought €42m worth of cocaine into State jailed

   convicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson♂32
2. 23 Mar2026
   Sentencedrte.ie, in Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry

   Seven jailed over conspiracy to import cocaine worth €42m

   convicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson♂32
3. 1 Mar2026
   Sentencedthejournal.ie, in Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry

   Seven cocaine smugglers jailed for between 10.5 and 12 years as a ‘significant deterrent’

   convicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson♂32
4. 19 Jan2026
   Convictedirishtimes.com, in Seven convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine in Co Clare

   Former British soldier played ‘logistical role’ in smuggling €42m worth of cocaine

   convicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson♂32
5. 19 Jan2026
   Convictedrte.ie, in Seven convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine in Co Clare

   Seven men to be sentenced over conspiracy to import drugs

   convicted, Ryan Watson, 32, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson♂32
6. 18 Jun2025
   In courtrte.ie, in Seven convicted of conspiracy to import cocaine in Co Clare

   Seven men returned for trial over Kerry drugs conspiracy

   accused, Ryan Watson, 31, male, namedRyan Watson♂31
7. 22 Jan2025
   In courtrte.ie, in Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry

   Seven further remanded on conspiracy to import drugs

   accused, Ryan Watson, 31, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Ryan Watson♂31
8. 17 Jan2025
   Chargedirishtimes.com, in Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry

   Five men appear in court in Co Kerry accused of plot to import drugs

   accused, Ryan Watson, 31, male, namedRyan Watson♂31
9. 17 Jan2025
   In courtthejournal.ie, in Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry

   Five men charged with conspiracy to import drugs in Co Kerry

   accused, Ryan Watson, 31, male, namedRyan Watson♂31
10. 17 Jan2025
    In courtrte.ie, in Seven jailed for conspiracy to import cocaine in Kerry

    Five men charged with conspiring to import drugs in Kerry

    accused, Ryan Watson, 31, male, namedRyan Watson♂31

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.