Seventy five bales of cocaine with a street value of more than five hundred million Euro seized off the west Cork.
The cocaine was destined for both Irish and European drug markets. The sixty foot vessel 'Dances with Waves' was intercepted after it had been tracked from the Caribbean over recent weeks. Gardaí are questioning three men who were on board the vessel.
The Joint Task Force involved in the interception believes they have dealt a huge blow to organised crime.
Detective Superintendent Pat Byrne of the Garda National Drugs Unit described the haul as,
The biggest drugs seizure of cocaine in the history of the state.
Commander Eugene Ryan of the Naval Fleet Operations described the seizure by the Joint Task Force as hugely significant.
Brian Smith of the Revenue Customs Service outlines that the Joint Task Force has managed to break the link between those operating in organised crime in South America and mainland Europe.
It is believed that the drug shipment was carried out by a British organised crime gang.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 November 2008. The reporter is Paschal Sheehy.
