Nathan McDonnell, a former business owner from Co Kerry, was involved in a major drug trafficking operation involving the import of €32.4 million worth of methamphetamine. McDonnell was contracted by an Irish crime group to store the drugs at the Ballyseedy Garden Centre before they were shipped to Australia. The operation uncovered links between the Irish group and the notorious Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, the largest drug trafficking organization in the world.
An investigation into a Co Kerry crime group involved in the largest ever seizure of crystal meth in the history of Ireland revealed their connection to the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, the world's largest drug trafficking organization. This was revealed in the Special Criminal Court. Nathan McDonnell, a former business owner, was contracted by the Irish gang to store a machine containing the drugs at the well-known Ballyseedy Garden Centre and arrange for its export to Australia.
He was to be paid €150,000 for his role. The Special Criminal Court heard that McDonnell is now 'effectively toxic' within his own community. The non-jury court learned that when workmen used angle grinders to cut holes in the machine at the port of Cork, bags of crystal meth valued at €32.4 million were recovered. Detective Sergeant David Howard told the three-judge court that Gardaí had been investigating an organized criminal group (OCG) operating in the Kerry district for over a year. He described it as a 'transnational organized crime group' with one of its 'logistical cells' in Kerry, as well as other cells operating in different countries. The court heard that this OCG had 'particular connections' with another OCG based in Mexico, specifically the 'Sinaloa Cartel,' which is considered the 'biggest drug cartel in the world and have capabilities to reach across continents'. One of the locations searched was the 'well-known and respectable' Ballyseedy Garden Centre, where McDonnell was the chief executive of the centre and its associated companies at the time. The machine was stored at McDonnell's garden centre in Tralee for several months before being transported to Cork, bound for export to Australia. McDonnell admitted to Gardaí during his interviews that he stored the machine and was to be paid €150,000 for his involvement, but claimed to be unaware of the machine's contents. The court heard that McDonnell was 'very pessimistic' about the future of his business and hoped to make €150,000 by storing the machine and facilitating its onward transmission to Australia. There was no evidence that McDonnell received any of that money. From October 2023, McDonnell's role became more prominent. He engaged with shipping companies to try and export the machine to Australia. The court heard communications from McDonnell seeking assistance to obtain a VAT number or a legitimate business in Australia for the machine to 'appear to be shipped to'. McDonnell had arranged for 'a false invoice' for the machine to be created as part of the export process. He relied on family and friends to obtain the contact of a legitimate business owner in Australia. The court heard: 'Once in transit the plan was to switch the address, once it had cleared Irish customs.' The Special Criminal Court also learned that the shipping role to Australia was 'predominantly' undertaken by McDonnell. The three-judge court was also told that CCTV footage from February 2024 showed McDonnell operating a forklift in February 2024 to load the machine into a container to be sent to Cork harbour. Lawyers for McDonnell, 44, told the non-jury court that their client was 'an important cog in the machine' and his standing within the community will never be regained. He has no previous convictions. Ms Justice Melanie Greally, presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone, remanded McDonnell in custody and said the court hoped to finalise the case by the end of the month. Last October, McDonnell, with an address at Ballyroe, Tralee, Co Kerry, pleaded guilty to importing one or more controlled drugs, namely Methylamphetamine, on October 16 2023 at Cork Port, Ringaskiddy, Co Cork, in contravention of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 to 2019, made under section 5 Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 and on or about the time the drug was imported the market value of the controlled drug amounted to €13,000 or more. The father of three has also pleaded guilty that between October 16 2023 and February 12 2024, both dates inclusive, within the State, with knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, he did participate in, or contribute to, activity intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could, facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit the importation, sale and supply of controlled drugs. McDonnell's arrest followed a joint operation by Gardaí and Revenue Officers which saw the seizure of 564kg of methamphetamine, or crystal meth, from a container at Cork Port on February 16, 2024. Follow-up searches in Kerry and Cork led to the arrest of McDonnell. The State’s case is that the drugs were imported from Mexico and stored at the garden centre before being transported to Cork, where they were destined for export to Australia
CRIMINAL ORGANISATION DRUG TRAFFICKING METHAMPHETAMINE SINALOA CARTEL IRELAND CORK KERRY MCNALLY
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
MTU Kerry Pulls Off Surprise Sigerson Cup Upset Against UCCMTU Kerry defeated UCC 2-15 to 2-8 in the Sigerson Cup, sending the defending champions out of the competition. MTU Kerry dominated the match with two second-half goals proving crucial in their victory.
Read more »
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae to Become Minister of StateMichael Healy-Rae secures a junior ministerial position in the new Irish coalition government after agreeing to support Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, and the Regional Independents Group. The draft programme for government includes key issues prioritized by the Healy-Raes.
Read more »
Son of Kerry Legend Moynihan Shines in School Championship VictoryJamie Moynihan, son of four-time All-Ireland winner Seamus Moynihan, led St Brendan's College, Killarney to a crucial win in the School's Championship against Tralee. The young midfielder's standout performance has his school on the brink of Corn Uí Mhuire glory.
Read more »
Search for second smuggling crew after suspected €100m cocaine haul delivered off KerryAlthough five arrests have been made, gardaí suspect second group of smugglers brought cocaine ashore and transported it to Northern Ireland
Read more »
Pat Spillane: A Look Inside the GAA Icon's Family Life in KerryThis article delves into the personal life of Pat Spillane, a renowned GAA figure, focusing on his long-lasting marriage to Rosarii and their three children. It highlights their private lives, Spillane's family-oriented values, and his reflections on life outside the demanding world of television broadcasting.
Read more »
Pat Spillane: A Look Inside the Kerry GAA Legend's Family LifeThis article delves into the life of Pat Spillane, a renowned Kerry GAA figure, and his devoted wife Rosarii. It explores their enduring love story, their three children, and Pat's transition to life after retiring from the Sunday Game.
Read more »