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 vesel 'Dances with Waves' was intercepted after it had been tracked from the Carribean over recent weeks. Gardaí are questioning three men who had been on board the vessel.
The Joint Task Force involved in the interception believe they have dealt a huge blow to organised crime.
Detective Superintendent Pat Bryne 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 the Joint Task Force have managed to break the link between those operating in organised crime in South America and mainland Europe.
It is believed that the drugs shipment was carried out by a British organised crime gang.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 7 November 2008. The reporter is Paschal Sheehy.
