PICTURES: Investigations continue following major drugs seizure at Foynes Port

The Verila - docked at Foynes Port. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

placeholder image — The Verila - docked at Foynes Port. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Searches underway of cargo ship amid tight security

INVESTIGATIONS are ongoing following searches of a cargo ship at Foynes Port in Limerick, after reports that a large quantity of suspected drugs were found on board.

The boat has been identified as the Verila, which sails under the flag of Malta, with pictures showing members of An Garda Síochána on board and on the Quayside.

The Verila, a bulk carrier, was built in 2022 and is valued at roughly €37.6 million.

Marinetraffic.com, a website that tracks shipping vessels, shows that the boat came from Montreal Canada, having left on Saturday, December 9. It is currently docked in Foynes Port.

The boat was believed to be carrying grain, however, several media outlets have reported that suspected drugs, worth up to €40 million, have been found on board.

In response to a media query from Limerick Live, a Revenue spokesperson confirmed that they are “currently undertaking a live operation” but that “no further comment is available at this time.”

Following a similar query to An Garda Síochána, a spokesperson said that they are “aware of a live operation being led by Revenue” but that no further comment is available at this time.

Security around Foynes Port is tight this Wednesday morning.