Ireland Sentences Ukrainian and International Drug Traffickers: Record Seizure and Mass Convictions
In a landmark case highlighting Ireland's ongoing battle against international drug trafficking, the country recently concluded a high-profile trial involving the largest drug seizure in its history—over 2.2 tons of cocaine confiscated during a specialized operation against organized crime. Twelve individuals were convicted, including three Ukrainian citizens—Mykhailo Havryk, Vitaliy Vlasoy, and Vitaliy Lapa—receiving lengthy prison terms ranging from 14 to 16.5 years. This case marked one of the most severe sentences handed down in Ireland’s judicial history. The majority of the drugs were seized from the vessel MV Matthew, which originated near Caracas and flew under the Panamanian flag. Investigations revealed that a criminal organization based in Dubai was orchestrating this operation, providing instructions for the delivery and concealment of the cargo. The confiscated cocaine's estimated value surpasses 157 million euros. The mastermind behind the scheme, 50-year-old Dutch national Kumal Ozgen, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars. The operation was closely monitored by the Irish Navy, which thwarted multiple attempts to evade arrest, including warnings and shots fired from submarines. When the crew attempted to set fire to the evidence, special forces swiftly intervened, securing the vessel and preventing further escalation. This significant case underscores the magnitude of international drug trafficking, the transnational nature of organized crime, and the active involvement of global criminal networks. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, law enforcement agencies conducted a large-scale special operation, uncovering several drug manufacturing and distribution centers across 15 regions, seizing over two billion hryvnias worth of illegal substances, and detaining 67 participants involved in the mass production and sale of psychotropic drugs such as alpha-PVP, amphetamine, and mephedrone.