Four people have been arrested after more than €80m worth of cocaine was recovered from a yacht off the Cork coast. Garda technical experts are carrying out a forensic examination of the yacht.
The vessel - which is understood to have sailed from the Caribbean - was detained in an intelligence led operation in the early hours of Tuesday morning, around 250 miles offshore.
Three British men from West Yorkshire aged 70, 35 and 28 were arrested on board the yacht, which is understood to have sailed from the Caribbean.
They are being held at the Bridewell and Togher garda stations.
Another person has been taken into custody following a raid in England.
It is thought the cocaine was destined for the UK or European black markets.
The yacht is being detained at Haulbowline, and a forensic analysis of the drugs is taking place today.
The Irish part of the operation involved the Joint Task Force, made up of members of Revenue Customs Service, An Garda Síochána and the Naval Service.
The Irish Independent's Southern Correspondent Ralph Riegel spoke to Newstalk Breakfast about the seizure:
Commander Martin Counihan, is Fleet Operations Officer from the Naval Service, and explained the operation:
Originally posted at 7:14am
