Ten men due in court over suspected drug-smuggling operation in west Cork

Ten men who were arrested as part of a major investigation targeting suspected drug-smuggling in west Cork have been charged by gardai.

The men, aged from their mid-20s to mid-50s, were arrested a week ago during a major intelligence-led operation targeting the activities of an organised crime gang.

A number of the men were arrested after gardai swooped on an articulated truck which was parked at a remote pier close to Tragumna beach - around 6km from Skibbereen.

Further arrests were made when gardai intercepted a campervan a short time later in the nearby village of Leap.

A high-powered Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) was seized during the operation and gardai believe it was to be used to travel out to sea to retrieve a consignment of drugs which had been transported by a "mothership".

The ten men, some of whom are non-nationals, have been detained and questioned at garda stations in Co. Cork for the past seven days under Organised Crime legislation.

In an update, issued this Thursday afternoon, gardai confirmed all ten have now been charged and will be brought before the courts.

"The 10 males detained as part of this ongoing crime operation in County Cork have been charged with alleged offences in connection with this investigation," said a spokesperson.

The suspects are due to be brought before a number of different courts in Co. Cork - in Bandon, Cork city and Midleton.

Investigations are ongoing.