‘They didn’t know one end of a boat from another’

It reads like a thriller: a trawler gets stuck in a landbank off Wexford and as the coastguard helicopter hovers over it ready to rescue the two men on board, they are told to stand down – the trawler is suspected of being involved in an international drug smuggling operation, on its way to collect a consignment.

But conspicuous behaviour and incompetent seamanship

The focus turns to a vast cargo ship off the Cork coast which had travelled an erratic route to Europe, leaving South America in August. Acting on intelligence that drugs were on board, and with the MV Matthew attempting to leave Irish waters, the Naval Service and Coast Guard approached while members of the elite Army Rangers ‘fast roped’ on to the deck at great risk from a helicopter in atrocious weather.

They quickly took control of the ship and later gardaí and customs officials found 2.2 tonnes of cocaine on board – the largest drug bust in Irish history – valued at €157 million.

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Crime and Security Correspondent Conor Gallagher tells In the News the focus now for the Garda is questioning the ship’s captain and crew, and on uncovering for which Irish gang a share of the shipment was destined.

Presented by Bernice Harrison. Produced by Declan Conlon.