In a recent incident involving drug trafficking, two men, a Ukrainian fisherman and an unemployed individual from Teesside, were intercepted while attempting to collect over 2.2 tonnes of cocaine from the cargo ship MV Matthew in the Irish Sea. The operation was complex, involving communication from Dubai, where instructions were sent via text message. Ultimately, the attempt failed, leading to the conviction of eight individuals who received sentences totaling 129 years.
Despite this successful interception, law enforcement agencies in Europe acknowledge the increasing challenges associated with cocaine trafficking from South America. The Maritime Analysis Operations Centre (MAOC) highlighted that last year, 100 vessels suspected of drug trafficking reached European waters without being stopped due to insufficient interception resources. Daily, they monitor up to 600 ships, while cocaine production in South America reaches record levels.
UK consumers reportedly used 117 tonnes of cocaine last year, with a tenfold increase in cocaine-related deaths since 2011. As security at major European ports has heightened, traffickers are adapting their tactics, including using at-sea drop-off methods where cocaine is transferred from large cargo ships to smaller boats.
Ireland’s geography presents challenges for enforcement operations, with nearly 2,000 miles of coastline. The Irish Naval Service operates with limited resources, usually deploying only two of its eight ships at a time. Former naval commander Eugene Ryan emphasized the vulnerability of Ireland’s waters, which could be likened to a “free-for-all.” The Irish government has pledged an increase in defense funding to enhance maritime security.
The MV Matthew, purchased by organized crime syndicates, was tracked during the smugglers’ attempts to communicate while at sea. Weather conditions and engine troubles hindered their operations. As military and law enforcement efforts converged, the crew ultimately attempted to evade capture, leading to a dramatic airborne intervention by the Irish Army Rangers. Despite this success, the ongoing attempts to traffic cocaine suggest that the issue remains a significant concern across Europe.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yvplyrrwno?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss