An Irishman and his family on a day out at the beach stumbled across a strange metallic object that proved to contain an estimated £4.4 million of cocaine.
Michael Vaughan discovered the “torpedo type” object while flying kites on Kilmacreehy beach, County Clare, on the western coast of Ireland in late August.
After inspecting the tube, which was welded shut and had a concrete cap on each end, Mr Vaughan and his family abandoned it on the beach because it was too heavy to move.
Many other beachgoers came across it over the following weeks but it was left alone until customs officials acted on a tip-off and seized it on Monday.
“Acting on a report from a member of the public, Revenue Customs Officers from the South West region discovered a suspicious item on the shore near Liscannor, County Clare,” officials said in a statement.
“The ‘torpedo type’ device was found to contain approximately 75 kilograms of cocaine. The concealment may have been attached below the waterline of a cargo ship or other maritime vessel. However, it is not possible at this stage to say either where the drugs originated, or their intended destination.
“The public are asked not to put themselves in danger by approaching or interfering with suspicious items such as this.”
An investigation has now been opened into the matter.
For years, the rugged and sparsely patrolled coast of Ireland has served as a drop-off point for drug smugglers. Much of the merchandise is delivered from Latin America and often intended for UK distribution.
Mr Vaughan told the Irish Times he was “absolutely dumb-founded” to hear what the object he found contained.
“It was the most inconspicuous item. Not for a second did we did think it could contain that amount of drugs – or any drugs at all,” he said.
