Filipino seafarer gets 18 years for drug smuggling in Ireland

The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that a Filipino seafarer was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role in smuggling cocaine into Ireland.

In September 2023, the Irish Special Criminal Court convicted the Filipino and seven others for attempting to bring 2.2 tons of cocaine valued at €157 million into Ireland.

Initially facing a sentence of 28 years, the Filipino's sentence was reduced due to good behavior; this is the second-highest sentence handed down in the case after a Dutch national received 20 years.

The Philippine embassy in Dublin is providing consular assistance and coordinating with the Filipino seafarer’s defense team for further legal actions.

Panamanian-flagged cargo ship MV Matthew was intercepted by Irish Army Rangers off the coast of Ireland, carrying cocaine from Curaçao, Venezuela; this was Ireland's largest-ever cocaine seizure.