Record Cocaine Seizures Surge in Ireland as European Gangs Unite
In a concerning development, Ireland has witnessed a significant surge in cocaine seizures, as European criminal gangs unite to form a network of cooperation. According to the EU drugs agency, these gangs tend to pool their resources, strengthening their operations across borders. This joint effort was suspected in the interception of a massive two-tonne cocaine importation off the coast of Cork.
This year has already seen a staggering 2.8 tonnes of cocaine seized by Customs in Ireland, a multiple of the annual totals in recent years. This surge has been bolstered by the 2.2-tonne haul discovered in Irish waters just two weeks ago. Many of these record-breaking seizures were the result of joint operations conducted by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
Revenue figures shared with the Irish Examiner offer insights into the scale of these seizures. Prior to the massive 2.23-tonnes interception on board the MV Matthew container ship, 530kg of cocaine had already been confiscated. Notably, there have been substantial seizures at Rosslare and Cork ports, such as the discovery of 60kg of cocaine concealed inside a freight container at Ringaskiddy Port in Cork.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction has highlighted a strong increase in cocaine seizures in Europe. It reports that South American cartels, aiming to evade tighter security measures in major ports, are targeting smaller ports, including those in Ireland. The report emphasizes that new players from various organized crime groups, such as those from Albania, Britain, France, Ireland, Morocco, Serbia, Spain, the Netherlands, and Turkey, are participating in the highly profitable cocaine market. These groups collaborate and combine their resources to facilitate the trafficking and distribution of cocaine throughout Europe.
The report also notes that while cocaine production continues to rise in Colombia, the supply into Europe has also increased due to intensified competition among different criminal networks.
Recently, eight men from various countries, including the Philippines, Ukraine, Iran, the Netherlands, and Britain, have been charged in relation to the massive cocaine seizure two weeks ago. The initial value of the haul was estimated at €157 million, but experts believe that its street value could be around €500 million once it has been cut or diluted with cheaper substances.
Meanwhile, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has stated that there are no signs of the deadly opiate drug fentanyl in Ireland, despite concerns of its presence in recent doses. However, the HSE is taking proactive measures by setting up an early warning system to detect the emergence of synthetic opiates like fentanyl.
As the situation is closely monitored by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, and local officials in Ireland, it is crucial to remain vigilant in addressing the growing threat posed by the surge in cocaine seizures and the evolving tactics employed by international criminal organizations.
