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Biggest Drug Bust in Irish History

The biggest drug bust in Irish history occurred on the high seas on November 6, when armed teams boarded the MacGregor 65 Dances With Waves about 150 miles southwest of County Cork. The bust was all the more dramatic for occurring in gale-force winds which had battered the yacht in the latter half of its trip from the Caribbean. In addition to three crew — two Brits and an Irishman — officials found 75 bundles of cocaine worth an estimated $630 million.

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The MacGregor 65 Dances With Waves was busted with close to two tons of cocaine aboard.

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In recent years, Ireland has become a favored drop-off point in international drug smuggling routes from South and Central America and West Africa. Indeed, on her three-week crossing, Dances With Waves rendezvoused at sea with another yacht sailing out of Africa to transfer at least part of her cargo. The drops are usually made in inlets along the rugged and sparsely-populated southern coast. From there the cargo moves on to Britain and mainland Europe. But interdiction methods are getting better. The Dances With Waves bust was part of Operation Seabright, in which law enforcement agencies in several countries liaise and exploit military-like technology against drug smugglers. Dances With Waves had been under surveillance by the DEA since being purchased in Trinidad several months ago, and by the time she took off for the Emerald Isle, Irish authorities had been alerted and were ready.

Exactly who owned the yacht is currently under investigation. It’s now thought that the three crew, aged 42 to 55, were probably mules, taking part in the scheme only for a quick payoff. Dances With Waves herself is a pilothouse version of the MacGregor 65, about 100 of which were built at the Costa Mesa facility between the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. According to the builder, Dances was built for an overseas owner who cruised her for many years in the South Pacific. She was sold after he passed away a few years ago.

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