The MV Matthew, the cargo ship at the centre of Ireland’s largest-ever cocaine seizure, has left Cork Harbour after nearly three years in State custody, ending a detention that cost Irish authorities around €16 million in berthing, maintenance, crewing and security.
The Panama-registered bulk carrier was towed from Marino Point on Friday after its planned departure the previous day was postponed because of a minor technical issue with one of the towing vessels.
Before the operation, the Port of Cork advised mariners to stay clear of the navigation channel and give the tow a wide berth.
The vessel is understood to be heading to Varna, Bulgaria, where it will be refitted before returning to service as a bulk grain carrier on the Black Sea, according to Irish media reports.
The ship became the focus of a major international drug trafficking investigation after Irish authorities seized 2.2 tonnes of cocaine, with an estimated street
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