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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DFA confirms Filipino meted 18 years in jail for cocaine smuggling in Ireland

DFA confirms Filipino meted 18 years in jail for cocaine smuggling in Ireland

Published Jul 28, 2025 05:19 pm
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega confirmed on Monday, July 28, that a Filipino was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Ireland for drug trafficking charges.

(DFA Photo)
(DFA Photo)
The official confirmed the Irish Special Criminal Court’s decision that recently came out on social media posts regarding the Filipino, whose name was withheld.

“He was initially sentenced to 28 years and was allegedly the person managing communications with a Dubai-based crime group. This was reduced to 18 years for good behavior,” the Philippine Embassy in Dublin, through De Vega, said in a report.

The embassy added that its assistance-to-nationals (ATN) officer attended the sentencing and met with the Filipino’s defense team.

According to reports, the Filipino was among the eight men sentenced to lengthy prison terms over Ireland’s largest-ever cocaine seizure of about 2.2 tons, amounting to €157 million (approx. ₱9.7 billion), in September 2023.

The Panamanian-flagged cargo ship MV Matthew was intercepted during a sea operation inside Irish territorial waters.

The Filipino received one of the highest sentences, second only to a Dutch national who was sentenced to 20 years. Six others also received lengthy prison sentences.

Irish authorities said the MV Matthew set sail from Curaçao, Venezuela.

Related Tags

DFA Eduardo de Vega cocaine smuggling Ireland MV Matthew
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