In a dramatic turn of events, four men were arrested early monday morning on suspicion of aiding a criminal organization in the alleged importation of controlled drugs from a vessel referred to as a “mothership” off the Kerry coast. their detention period has since been extended following a special sitting of the district court in Killarney, where it was revealed that no drugs have been discovered thus far.
The suspects, currently held at Killarney and Tralee Garda stations, include individuals from various locations: one from Eastern Europe with ties to Manchester, another linked to Derry, and two with addresses in Glasgow. All four men retain the presumption of innocence, as emphasized during the court proceedings.
Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland of the Garda Drugs and Organized Crime Bureau highlighted the extensive resources deployed in the examination. Speaking during the applications for warrants to extend the detention period by up to 72 hours under Section 53 of the Criminal Justice Act,Boland stated,”Vast resources have been deployed in the course of the investigation.”
The operation unfolded on Sunday when gardaí,acting on confidential intelligence,observed the four men behaving suspiciously. A rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was transported to Glen Pier in Ballinskelligs, South Kerry, and equipped with two high-powered engines. A second RIB, brought by a Land Rover Discovery, was stationed at Portmagee.
Later that day, one of the RIBs was reportedly moved 100 kilometers to Meenogahane Pier in the northern part of the county. Shortly after midnight, all four men were allegedly seen boarding the RIB and heading out to sea. upon returning, they boarded the Land rover Discovery, from which several items were recovered, including night vision equipment, GPS devices, and seven mobile phones.
Chief Superintendent Boland informed the court that Gardaí suspect the men were involved in the importation of controlled drugs, potentially placed in the water by the “mothership.” While the vessel has been identified, no controlled drugs have been seized so far.
The arrests occurred at 5:20 AM on Monday as the men were returning from Meenogahane Pier near Ballyheigue. They were detained under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 on suspicion of enhancing or facilitating the ability of a criminal organization to commit a serious offense—specifically, the importation and supply of controlled drugs.
Although no drugs were found, several phones were seized, including a “highly-encrypted device that we see at the highest level of international crime,” as described by Chief Superintendent Boland. To date, five interviews have been conducted with the suspects.
Investigators are analyzing electronic devices, witness statements, and CCTV footage from County Kerry and the M1 motorway. Additionally, meaningful international inquiries are underway, involving Interpol, Europol in The Hague, Portugal’s maritime drugs investigation unit, and other policing agencies to confirm the identities and alleged roles of the accused in the drug importation scheme.
The court also heard that the men allegedly rented a cottage in Ballinskelligs on January 7 and paid €12,000 in cash for the second RIB in Kerry. Solicitors Padraig O’Connell, Pat Mann, and Brendan Ahern representing the men stressed that no drugs had been found and reiterated their clients’ presumption of innocence.
Judge David Waters granted the detention extension, stating he was satisfied that the investigation was being conducted diligently, allowing for the proper investigation of the alleged offense.
Given the transnational nature of the suspected operation, what specific international collaborations are underway too trace the suspects’ networks?
Interview with Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland of the Garda Drugs and Organized Crime Bureau
Conducted by Archyde news Editor
Archyde: Chief Superintendent Seamus Boland, thank you for joining us today. We’re discussing the recent arrests of four men in Kerry suspected of aiding a criminal organization in the alleged importation of controlled drugs. Can you provide an overview of the situation?
Seamus Boland: Certainly. Early Monday morning, following a tip-off from the Customs Services and our Drugs Unit, we initiated an operation near the Kerry coast. We spotted suspicious activity involving two rigid inflatable boats (RIBs) equipped with high-powered engines—one at Glen Pier in Ballinskelligs and the other at Portmagee.These vessels are frequently enough used in organized crime for fast transport, particularly in drug smuggling operations.
Archyde: The suspects are currently held at Killarney and Tralee Garda stations, with their detention period extended. Yet, no drugs have been discovered so far.How does this complicate the case?
Seamus Boland: It’s a complex situation.While no drugs have been found yet, the presence of the RIBs and their suspected connection to a larger vessel, referred to as a “mothership,” raises meaningful concerns. Organized crime networks often use these methods to transport drugs covertly. The absence of drugs doesn’t necessarily exonerate the suspects—it could indicate that the operation was intercepted before the goods were transferred.
Archyde: The suspects come from diverse locations: Eastern Europe with ties to Manchester, Derry, and Glasgow. What does this suggest about the nature of the operation?
Seamus Boland: The geographical spread of the suspects points to a transnational criminal network. Organized crime often operates across borders, leveraging connections in different regions to facilitate smuggling. The diverse backgrounds of these individuals suggest a coordinated effort, likely involving multiple players across Europe.
Archyde: It’s been emphasized in court proceedings that the suspects retain the presumption of innocence.How does the Garda approach this balance between inquiry and respecting legal rights?
Seamus Boland: The presumption of innocence is a essential principle of our justice system,and we uphold it rigorously. Our role is to gather evidence and present it to the courts, ensuring a fair and thorough investigation. While the arrests and extended detention are necessary for public safety and investigative integrity, we remain committed to ensuring the suspects’ legal rights are respected throughout the process.
archyde: What are the next steps in this investigation?
Seamus Boland: We’re continuing to gather evidence, including forensic analysis of the RIBs, surveillance data, and any potential connections to the “mothership.” We’re also collaborating with international law enforcement agencies to trace the suspects’ networks. The case remains active, and we’ll proceed methodically to ensure justice is served.
Archyde: Thank you, Chief Superintendent, for your insights. We’ll continue to follow this case closely.
Seamus Boland: Thank you for the prospect to discuss this important operation.
End of Interview
Published by Archyde on January 15, 2025
