A Filipino seafarer has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of cocaine smuggling in Ireland, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
According to a report by the Philippine embassy in Dublin, the Filipino OFW was found guilty of carrying cocaine. He was caught in September 2023 along with five other crew members of the Panamanian-flagged MV Matthew. They are said to have attempted to smuggle 2.2 tons of cocaine, which has been called the largest haul in Irish history.
He was initially sentenced to 28 years and was said to be the communications operator of the Dubai-based syndicate. This was reduced to 18 years in consideration of good behavior. According to the DFA, the other crew members were sentenced to up to 17 years.
The Philippine embassy in Dublin continues to provide consular assistance. The ship was seized after weeks of surveillance by the Irish Navy and international agencies, including the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
