A text message from Dubai, marked with a Santa emoji, promised an easy job.
“OK lads. No need for luck. Really this couldn’t be any more straightforward. Just relax and this will all be over soon.”
The message was sent to a Ukrainian fisherman and an unemployed man from Teesside as they sailed into the Irish Sea to collect cocaine from the cargo ship MV Matthew.
Nothing about the mission was straightforward. Instead of slipping past unnoticed, the pair were swept up in an international operation that foiled one of Europe’s biggest smuggling attempts. The Irish authorities intercepted more than 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, struck a blow against the cartels, and jailed eight men for a combined 129 years. Every kilo of the seized cocaine was destroyed.
Despite the victory, officials warn the tide of cocaine flooding into Europe is only growing. The Maritime Analysis Operations Centre (MAOC), which tracks transatlantic smuggling, says 100 suspected drug ships were left untouched last year because European agencies didn’t have the vessels to intercept them.
“We know the ship is crossing the Atlantic. We know it’s loaded. And still, we don’t have the assets to stop it,” said MAOC director Sjoerd Top. Each day, his team monitors up to 600 vessels while record cocaine production in South America fuels the trade.
The MV Matthew, a Panama-registered cargo ship, was bought by cartels in August 2023. By September, it was docked in Cork Harbour under heavy guard after the dramatic seizure.
Demand in Europe is feeding the cartels’ persistence. UK users alone consumed 117 tonnes of cocaine last year, according to the National Crime Agency. Cocaine-related deaths have risen ten-fold since 2011.
Traditional smuggling routes through Rotterdam and Antwerp are under tighter scrutiny, forcing traffickers to adopt riskier strategies. Increasingly, smugglers transfer bales of cocaine at sea, passing them from large “mother ships” to smaller “daughter craft” that ferry the drugs to shore.
“We’ve intercepted multiple one- and two-tonne shipments at sea in the last six months alone,” said Charlie Eastaugh, UK Border Force maritime director.
Ireland has become a prime target, serving as a back door to the UK thanks to its open border. The MV Matthew bust showed that authorities can win major battles, but with the cartels relentless and resources stretched thin, the war is far from over.
About the author
Ibrahim Traoré accueille le président de l’UA Évariste Ndayishimiye à Ouagadougou
Le Président du Faso, Ibrahim Traoré, a accueilli ce lundi 20 avril 2026 au matin, à l’aéroport international de Ouagadougou, le Président en exercice de l’Union africaine, Évariste Ndayishimiye. Cette visite officielle s’inscrit dans le cadre des relations diplomatiques entre les États africains et les institutions continentales. Des échanges avec la Confédération AES Au cours de son séjour, le chef de l’État burundais, également président en exercice de l’UA, aura des échanges avec Ibrahim Traoré en sa qualité de Président de la Confédération des États du Sahel (AES). Ces discussions devraient porter sur des enjeux politiques, sécuritaires et de coopération régionale. Visites d’infrastructures à Ouagadougou Le programme de la visite prévoit également des déplacements sur plusieurs infrastructures socio-économiques dans la capitale, Ouagadougou. Ces visites visent à mettre en lumière les initiatives de développement en cours dans le pays. Une visite […]
LOOMIC : ABSTERGO lance une nouvelle marque d’accessoires tech au Burkina Faso
Dans un contexte où les accessoires numériques occupent une place centrale dans la vie quotidienne, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY franchit une nouvelle étape. Le 18 avril 2026, l’entreprise a officiellement lancé LOOMIC, une marque dédiée aux essentiels technologiques, avec une ambition claire : allier performance, design et accessibilité. Une vision : rendre la technologie utile et accessible Avec LOOMIC, ABSTERGO TECHNOLOGY veut combler le fossé entre le haut de gamme et l’accessibilité. Selon son fondateur, Marthial Oubda, les accessoires du quotidien ont longtemps été sous-estimés. « La technologie doit faire plus que fonctionner. Elle doit simplifier et améliorer l’expérience », a-t-il expliqué. LOOMIC se positionne ainsi comme une marque centrée sur l’essentiel, avec une approche axée sur l’innovation utile et un design minimaliste. Voltis : un écosystème de charge performant La marque inaugure sa gamme Voltis, dédiée à l’énergie et à la […]
Audit Exposes GHS427m Payroll Scandal at Defence Ministry
A shocking audit report has uncovered a massive payroll scandal involving a senior government official who allegedly received over GHS427 million in unearned salaries over 29 months. The individual at the center of the controversy, Frank Oliver Kpodo, served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence Ghana during the period under review. Millions Paid for No Work Done According to findings by the Auditor-General of Ghana, the payments were made between January 2023 and June 2025. On average, this amounts to more than GHS14 million per month—funds reportedly paid without corresponding work. The audit, which examined government payroll systems, aimed to ensure that only legitimate employees receive salaries. Instead, it exposed what appears to be a deeply flawed system. Part of a Larger Payroll Leak The report found that over 6,000 government employees collectively received more than GHS800 […]
Old Tafo MP Questions NPRA Sole Sourcing, Raises Transparency Concerns
The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo Constituency, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised fresh concerns about procurement practices at the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA). He warned that the growing use of sole sourcing could undermine transparency and value for money. Questions Over High-Value Contracts Speaking on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, Assafuah pointed to several major contracts awarded through sole sourcing. These include: A consultancy deal worth GH¢4.2 million A vehicle procurement arrangement exceeding GH¢17 million and $160,000 According to him, the repeated reliance on sole sourcing for such high-value transactions raises serious concerns about due process. “Sole sourcing is meant for urgency and necessity, not convenience and favouritism,” he stated. Concerns Over Costly Consultancy Engagements The MP also questioned the need for certain consultancy services. He noted that a reported monthly cost of about GH¢175,000 could suggest duplication […]
Kaya : 190 jeunes et femmes reçoivent des kits pour lancer leurs activités
À Kaya, 190 personnes, majoritairement des jeunes et des femmes, disposent désormais des moyens nécessaires pour lancer leurs propres activités génératrices de revenus. Le 25 mars 2026, SOS Villages d’Enfants a procédé à la remise officielle de kits d’installation complets, marquant une nouvelle étape dans son programme d’autonomisation. Un investissement de près de 40 millions FCFA L’opération représente un investissement global de 39 751 400 FCFA. Ce montant se répartit comme suit : 27 361 650 FCFA pour l’acquisition du matériel 12 389 750 FCFA consacrés à la formation technique des bénéficiaires L’objectif est clair : permettre un démarrage immédiat des activités avec des compétences solides. Des équipements pour plusieurs métiers Les kits distribués couvrent différents secteurs d’activité : Production d’attiéké : 32 femmes Coupe et couture : 42 bénéficiaires Transformation de produits ligneux : 56 personnes Teinture de pagnes […]
JEPPC 2026 : Émile Zerbo appelle à consommer local pour renforcer la souveraineté
Le Burkina Faso a officiellement lancé, ce 26 mars 2026, la première phase des Journées nationales d’engagement patriotique et de participation citoyenne (JEPPC). La cérémonie, organisée au ministère de la Justice, a été présidée par Émile Zerbo, ministre d’État chargé de l’Administration territoriale. Un thème centré sur la souveraineté alimentaire Pour cette troisième édition, le thème choisi est clair :« Produisons burkinabè, consommons burkinabè, notre assiette, notre fierté » À travers ce message, les autorités entendent promouvoir un changement profond des habitudes de consommation et renforcer le patriotisme économique. Un discours fort contre la dépendance aux importations Relayant le message du chef de l’État, Émile Zerbo a dénoncé une forme d’impérialisme ancrée dans le quotidien. Selon lui, la dépendance aux produits importés affaiblit l’économie nationale et marginalise les producteurs locaux. Il a notamment pointé du doigt la présence massive de […]
Related
Iran military warns renewed war with US is likely
A senior Iranian military official has warned that a renewed war with the United States is now a likely outcome if current tensions are not reduced. The warning comes amid disputes over a US-led blockade of Iranian ports, which Tehran has condemned as banditry and piracy. According to statements carried by Iranian state media, the military’s central command has said that if the US continues what Iran calls blockading, banditry and piracy in regional waters, American forces should expect a strong response from Iran’s armed forces. Iranian commanders say they have updated combat plans and military targets as they prepare for the possibility of renewed hostilities. The warning follows weeks of fragile ceasefire arrangements and stalled diplomatic efforts. Both Washington and Tehran have publicly claimed they are ready for war if talks fail and violations continue. Iranian officials accuse the […]
Missing Oscar found after airport security incident
An Academy Award that went missing after being checked at an airport in New York has been located, according to Lufthansa. Filmmaker Pavel Talankin said he was carrying the Oscar in his hand luggage while travelling from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Germany when security officers stopped him. Authorities reportedly insisted the statuette could pose a security risk and required it to be placed in checked baggage. However, upon arrival in Germany, the award—won for the documentary Mr Nobody Against Putin—was missing. Lufthansa later confirmed that the statuette had been found in Frankfurt and is now secure. The airline said it is working directly with Talankin to return the item as quickly as possible, while also launching an internal review into how the situation occurred. It added that it had apologised for the inconvenience. The incident caused concern among […]
Mladić seeks release over failing health
Lawyers for Ratko Mladić are awaiting a ruling from a United Nations court on a request to release him on medical grounds. The 84-year-old former Bosnian Serb commander is currently serving a life sentence in The Hague. Mladić was convicted in 2017 of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, a verdict upheld on appeal in 2021. Once dubbed the “Butcher of Bosnia,” he remains one of the most prominent figures linked to atrocities during the Balkan wars. His legal team argues that his health has significantly deteriorated. According to their submission, he has been largely bedridden or reliant on a wheelchair and is believed to have suffered a stroke that has severely affected his ability to speak. Medical assessments cited by the defence describe his condition as critical, with a high risk of imminent death. They are requesting provisional […]
Iran activates air defences as Trump faces US war deadline
Iran has put its air defence systems on high alert as President Donald Trump approaches a key legal deadline to secure congressional approval for his ongoing military campaign against the country. The move comes amid continued US and Israeli airstrikes on Iranian targets and Tehran’s warnings of stronger retaliation if attacks escalate. Under the US War Powers Resolution, Trump must obtain authorisation from Congress by May 1 to continue large scale military operations beyond 60 days. Legal experts note that without such approval, he is supposed to begin winding down deployments, although previous presidents have often contested or ignored this requirement. Iranian officials have dismissed Trump’s threats to inflict heavy damage on the country’s civilian infrastructure if it does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz to full shipping traffic. Tehran says it will not bow to ultimatums and has vowed […]
Justice Dept releases footage of Trump shooting suspect
The United States Department of Justice has released surveillance footage of the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at a high profile event in Washington. The nearly six minute video features several clips of the suspect, 31 year old Cole Tomas Allen, walking through corridors and a fitness centre inside the Washington Hilton hotel. A dramatic part of the footage shows Allen carrying what appears to be a long barrelled gun as he charges through a security checkpoint. He is seen sprinting past uniformed police officers and Secret Service agents in suits before shots are fired. Prosecutors say Allen was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and knives when he tried to storm the venue of the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where Trump was attending. Federal officials described the incident as a clear assassination attempt on the […]
Iran defies Trump’s blockade as oil prices soar
Iran has vowed to resist a prolonged United States naval blockade and keep its economy functioning, even as global oil prices surge to multi year highs. The warning comes after President Donald Trump signalled that the US led operation to restrict shipping to and from Iranian ports could last for months. Iranian officials say the blockade will fail and have accused Washington of waging economic warfare and collective punishment against the country. Tehran says it is finding alternative routes and partners to sell its crude, including ship to ship transfers and deals that avoid dollar payments. Oil markets have reacted nervously to the standoff. Brent crude has climbed well above 110 dollars a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate has traded above 100 dollars, levels last seen several years ago. Analysts say prices have been driven higher by the […]