Two men appeared before Waterford District Court this evening charged in connection with the seizure of more than €150 million euros worth of cocaine on a bulk cargo ship off the Cork coast earlier this week.
Jamie Harbron (31) with an address at 26 South Avenue, Billingham, Stockton on Teese, UK and Ukrainian national, Vitaliy Lapa (60) of no fixed abode appeared before Waterford District Court at approximately 7pm this evening, Friday September 29.
More than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine were found on the MV Matthew which was seized on Wednesday and is in the process of being forensically examined.
Both men had been winched to safety from a trawler off the Wexford coast when the vessel ran aground on Sunday evening.
Five other men have also been arrested and may be held and questioned for up to 7 days.
Mr. Harbron was arrested at Wexford Garda Station yesterday at 23:10, remanded in custody in Wexford District Court to appear via video link on Monday October 3 at 10.30am
Mr. Lapa was also arrested at Wexford Garda Station yesterday at 23:26, and he too was remanded in custody in Wexford District Court until appearance via Video Link on Monday October 3 at 10:30am.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to import drugs. Legal aid was granted in both cases.
