A Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising members of the Naval Service, Air Corps, Army Ranger Wing, Revenue Customs Service and An Garda Síochána have implemented a co-ordinated operation at sea, which resulted in the detention of a Panamanian registered bulk cargo vessel originating in South America, MV MATTHEW, in the early hours of the 26th September 2023. A significant quantity of suspected controlled drugs were located onboard.
As part of this intelligence led operation the JTF requested assistance from the Defence Forces and this was provided by the deployment of the LE WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS, two AW139 helicopters, one CASA fixed wing aircraft and one PC12 fixed wing aircraft. A team from the Army Ranger Wing also assisted in the operation. The container ship was tracked by both Air Corps and the Naval Service assets over a number of days and was detained following the firing of warning shots in its direction by the LE WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS. A specialist team from the Army Ranger Wing then deployed by helicopter onto the MV MATTHEW via fast rope insertion in challenging conditions. The ARW made the vessel safe and enabled it's boarding by officials and personnel from the Naval Service, the Garda National Drugs Unit, Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) and Revenue’s Customs Service.
The vessel was escorted by the Naval Service to an Irish Port where it will be detained to allow for a detailed search and investigation by the relevant State agencies.
The Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy commends the efforts of all personnel involved in the operation;
"I would like to personally commended the courage, discipline and professionalism of all personnel involved in this successful operation. This Joint and multiagency operation demonstrates the interoperability of Óglaigh na hÉireann, underlining the unique capability that we bring to the defence of the State. The significant intelligence led planning by the Joint Task Force enabled the coordination and execution of this complex multiagency operation. This operation demonstrated the importance of all services of the Defence Forces and their ability to operate in the most challenging of conditions."
ENDS
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