A BULGARIAN MAN was remanded in custody for sentencing after admitting his role in smuggling over €20 million worth of cocaine to Ireland from Brazil.
Nikola Penchev (34), pleaded guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to one count of possession of cocaine in excess of €13,000 for sale or supply, contrary to Section 15 (A) of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
Penchev, with an address at Velicki, Preslav, Bulgaria, spoke only to confer his “guilty” plea during the brief court hearing on Thursday.
The offence carries a mandatory prescriptive minimum ten-year jail sentence unless a court finds extenuating exceptional circumstances that would allow a reduced term.
The €21.6 million total cocaine haul was smuggled on board the MV Verila cargo ship, which travelled from Brazil to Canada and onto Foynes Port, Co Limerick, bringing with it a legal consignment of sugar and grain.
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https://www.thejournal.ie/bulgarian-man-cocaine-smuggling-cargo-ship-limerick-6610890-Jan2025/
