Boat impounded as €4million drug haul probed

A fishing vessel has been sealed off as part of a major investigation into the finding of over €4 million worth of cocaine off the Donegal coast.

A major multi-agency probe has been launched after parcels containing an estimated 60kg of cocaine were found.

A number of identical parcels have been found with the initial findings taking place at Ballyheirnan Beach in Fanad and Tramore Beach near Dunfanaghy on Wednesday morning. Samples have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for formal analysis. 

Gardaí in Milford with the assistance of the Garda Air Support Unit and the Garda Water Unit, along with Revenue's Maritime Unit continue to carry out joint searches along the North Donegal/ Fanad Head Coastline.

An operation is also centring on a boat docked at Magheroarty Pier. Scenes of crime Gardai, Coast Guard and Revenue officials have been searching the vessel.

The boat, a Cleopatra 38, is understood to have been advertised for sale recently. 

It does not appear as if the boat’s radar was operating in recent weeks, however. 

Earlier, a Garda Water Unit rib combed the waters off the coast at Downings in Sheephaven Bay for several hours late in Thursday morning and into the early afternoon.

Officers relocated around Horn Head and to Tramore Breach in Dunfanaghy where one of the initial packages was located on Wednesday morning.

The drugs were packed into bales, encased in black plastic wrapping. One eye-witness said one of the packages was ‘the size of a suitcase’.

Gardai are believed to have been monitoring the potential trafficking of illegal drugs into the county in recent days with investigating officers said to have been trained on marine vessels in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Gardai believe the packages were discarded from one such vessel.

Officers believe further parcels could be located and have appealed to the public for their assistance. 

A spokesperson said: “Investigations are ongoing.

“Any person with any information in relation to the discovery of these packages is asked to contact investigating Gardaí.

“An Garda Síochána in Milford continue to appeal to landowners in the Fanad Head area with coastal land and/ or any persons using the North Donegal Coastline over the coming days to be conscious of the packages that have been recovered. 

“Any person who sees any similar package or any other marine debris that attracts their attention are requested to not interfere with the packages and to contact An Garda Síochána at Milford Garda Station on 074 9153060, their local Garda station or the Garda Confidential line 1800 666 111.

“Members of the public can also contact the Customs Drug Watch Confidential number 1800 295 295.”