Crates of cocaine, loaded under cover of night from an armed boat by some crew members while others aboard the MV Matthew were plied with alcohol “as a distraction” began a descent into chaos which would ultimately lead to their arrest.
“Terrified” and “alone at sea”, the crew said they were then compelled to comply with the major drug trafficking operation directed from Dubai that resulted in Ireland’s largest ever cocaine seizure off the Cork coast in September, 2023.
Fear permeated the bulk cargo ship, the accused said, with some crew saying they were promised bonuses to “keep their mouths shut” when they questioned the legality of the cargo.
They were told it was…