Two men have gone on trial at the Special Criminal Court, where they deny having the 2.2 tonnes of cocaine for sale or supply on board a Panamanian cargo ship
Two men who have gone on trial at the Special Criminal Court after the largest cocaine seizure in Irish history played an "essential part" in a "very sophisticated, complex and highly professional international drug trafficking operation," the State alleges.
Describing the MV Matthew vessel, Mr Guerin said it is a bulk carrier ship or cargo ship used to transport products such as grain. The ship, which was previously known as 'Honmon', is 190 metres long and 32 metres wide and while it was sailing under the flag of Panama, it was owned by a Dubai-based company known as 'Symphony Marine'.
He said the master or captain was Iranian Soheil Jelveh and the chief officer or second in charge was Ukrainian national Vitaliy Vlasoi. Jelveh, he said, had remained in control of the vessel until September 25 2023, when he was medically evacuated by the Irish coast guard and replaced by Vlasoi. Mr Guerin said there were two second officers on board the MV Matthew - Ukrainian Mykhailo Gavryk and one of the accused men on trial - Harold Estoesta.
The barrister will continue his opening speech after lunchtime today before Ms Justice Melanie Greally presiding, sitting with Judge Sarah Berkeley and Judge Grainne Malone.
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