Seven men have received prison sentences ranging from 10 to 12 years in the Republic of Ireland for their involvement in a substantial international cocaine smuggling operation. The group conspired to import over 600 kilograms of cocaine, with an estimated street value of €42 million (£36.2 million).
Three of the convicted individuals were aboard a cargo ship that transported the illicit drugs from South America, eventually docking off the coast of County Clare. The remaining four men, all with addresses in the United Kingdom, constituted a “landing cell.” This cell was tasked with meeting the ship using an inflatable boat to retrieve the cocaine and transport it to a designated location in County Kerry.
Sentences and Convictions
The three men from the Philippines, identified as Hanz Pangahin (36), Christopher Ampo (44), and Feljon Lao (29), were each sentenced to ten and a half years in prison. Miljan Koprivica, 46, residing at Bollin Drive in Manchester, received a 12-year sentence. Conor Costello, 31, from Earhart Park, Madamsbank Road in County Londonderry, was also sentenced to ten and a half years. Gary Monks, 40, of Amulree Place, Glasgow,Scotland, was given a 10-year sentence. Ryan Watson, 32, of Mailerbeg Gardens, Modiesburn in Glasgow, received a ten and a half year sentence.
All seven men entered guilty pleas for conspiracy to import controlled drugs. Their illegal activities spanned from December 18, 2024, to January 15, 2025. Investigations revealed they operated in distinct, “structured and organised” cells, all under the direction of unidentified leaders.
The Transport and Landing Operation
Detective Inspector Boyce explained that the vessel carrying the drugs anchored in the Shannon Estuary on January 12. Prior to this, Watson, Monks, Costello, and Koprivica had arrived in Ireland on separate dates after January 6. These four men were apprehended on January 12 while on a rigid inflatable boat at Meenogahane pier in County Kerry. They had taken possession of the cocaine from the MV Royal and brought it ashore at Carrigaholt Pier in County Clare.
Forensic examination of seized mobile phones provided authorities with the crucial lead to identify the MV Royal. A joint operation involving Revenue and Customs and An Garda Síochána (Irish police) boarded the ship on January 15, leading to the arrest of Lao. Pangahin and Ampo were apprehended two days later. The prosecution presented evidence that these individuals comprised the transport cell, having loaded the cocaine onto the boat in Brazil. The significant drug seizure was discovered in 24 secured bags at the front of the ship. The MV Royal had been sailing under a Maltese flag.
Hierarchical Control and Coordination
An Garda Síochána uncovered a WhatsApp group that included an individual known as “Emaar Boss.” This person, reportedly using a Finnish SIM card and claiming to be based in Dubai, was directing the actions of the three crew members on board the MV Royal. Instructions were issued regarding their rendezvous with Watson, Monks, Costello, and Koprivica via the inflatable boat.
Evidence suggested that Monks had prior military experience, having served as a British soldier and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder following deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Costello and Watson possessed maritime backgrounds. The “landing cell” members, Watson, Monks, Costello, and Koprivica, were in communication with another figure identified only as “Albert,” using an Argentinian SIM card. Det Insp Boyce emphasized that the men’s actions were consistently “under instruction.”
Further testimony from Boyce indicated that an individual named “Danny Greene” was also issuing directives to the landing cell. Greene had provided the coordinates for the MV Royal on January 9 as the ship made its way up Ireland’s west coast. Messages exchanged between Costello and “Danny Greene” suggested a clear hierarchy of command within the smuggling network. Greene’s instructions also included orders to “dump all electrics” once the operation was complete.
The presiding judge noted that the convicted men were integral parts of a sophisticated international drug smuggling enterprise. This operation was characterized by its compartmentalized cell structure and connections extending to Dubai, Afghanistan, Brazil, and the UK. All seven defendants entered guilty pleas, and the sentencing hearing, which detailed the case, spanned three days. The judge acknowledged that the men had been deliberately recruited for their specific skills and roles within the organization.