Failed rendezvous at sea - Court hears of foiled smuggling operation off south coast

A coordinated operation involving gardaí across the south coast has dismantled a suspected drug-smuggling conspiracy, the Special Criminal Court heard. In March last year, ten men were arrested following operations in the villages of Tragumna and Leap near Skibbereen, County Cork, where a rigid inflatable boat, jeep, camper van and articulated truck were seized. The court learned that a RIB attempted to rendezvous with a vessel off the coast but the operation failed. Gardaí subsequently discovered nautical equipment including satellite phones, GPS devices and diving suits at the scene. The ship in question later passed waters near Denmark where approximately 840 kilos of cocaine, valued between €58 and €59 million, was found washed ashore. Two defendants, Pedro Pablo Ojeda Ortega and Angel Serran Padilla, both from Spain, pleaded guilty to conspiring to import controlled drugs. Three co-accused, including a man from Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, are seeking trial dates, with the matter adjourned for mention on 28 July.