THE YACHT at the centre of the cocaine smuggling case in Co Cork was sold in Trinidad and Tobago during the summer for about $200,000 (€157,000). It was tracked from there after an initial tip-off from the authorities in Britain, it has emerged.
While the 60ft Dances With Waveswas intercepted by the Naval Service early on Thursday morning, the whereabouts of men and drugs on board were known to the authorities here for some time.
This level of surveillance and intelligence differs from the operation in the waters off Dunlough Bay, Co Cork, last year where 1.5 tonnes of cocaine was found.
On that occasion the authorities in Ireland, Britain, continental Europe and the US were unaware that the drugs were being smuggled. Then, bad weather tipped the smugglers and cocaine into the waters during a botched landing attempt in west Cork.
The operation resulting in this week's seizure involved the Naval Service, Customs and Garda. The British Serious Organised Crime Agency was also involved along with the Lisbon-based European anti drugs agency known as Maoc-N - Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre, Narcotics.
The US authorities tracked the vessel by satellite as it sailed from the Caribbean past the west coast of Spain and into Irish waters.
Further details of the Naval Service's dramatic boarding of Dances With Wavesemerged yesterday.Both the LE Niamhand LE Róisínwere specifically launched to intercept the yacht based on the intelligence that originated in Britain.
When the vessels reached the area 150 nautical miles off Mizen Head, the operation became more covert. In pitch darkness and in 10ft high seas, two rigid inflatable boats (Ribs) carrying about 10 armed Naval personnel were launched from the LE Niamh.
They sped towards the target yacht and boarded. None of the Naval force personnel drew their arms on the yacht's three-man crew in what sources said was a "compliant armed boarding".
One sailing expert said the speed with which the Ribs moved into position was a key element in the successful operation.
If the Dances With Wavescrew had not been surprised, they could have launched a life raft and sunk their yacht in a matter of minutes.