Filipino Seafarer Sentenced to 18 Years in Ireland After Being Accused of Drug Smuggling 

Filipino Seafarer Sentenced to 18 Years in Ireland for Drug Smuggling 

A Filipino seafarer has been sentenced to 18 years in prison in Ireland after being accused of smuggling illegal drugs. 

A 31-year-old man identified as Harold Estoesta was arrested for his alleged involvement in the country’s largest drug bust to date. He was the second officer aboard the MV Matthew, a cargo ship intercepted by Irish authorities in the Irish Sea in September 2023. 

Authorities discovered around 2.2 tons of cocaine hidden on board, with an estimated street value of €157 million or roughly P9.6 billion. The drugs were part of a transnational smuggling operation believed to be led by an organized crime group. 

Filipino Seafarer

Harold was one of eight crew members convicted by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin on July 4, 2025. The group included nationals from the Netherlands, Iran, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. 

The court found them guilty of using encrypted communications, spoofing tactics, and ignoring orders from authorities as the ship approached Ireland. 

As the ship’s second officer, Harold played a major role in navigation and communication, responsibilities that placed him at the heart of the vessel’s operations. He was a graduate of the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, and many who knew him described him as intelligent, capable, and responsible. 

Filipino Seafarer

At first, Harold claimed he was unaware of the true nature of the cargo, saying he was told they were just carrying spare parts. He insisted he only followed orders and feared for his life. However, in February 2025, he changed his plea to guilty. 

By July, Harold received the second-longest sentence among the eight men. The Department of Foreign Affairs has since reminded all Filipino seafarers to be vigilant and to stay away from illegal activities while working abroad. 

In another post, a seaman who almost gave up now onboard after 8 years

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