Published Wednesday, 25 April 2012
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police in London confirmed the arrest. (© Getty)
The 45-year-old was arrested for questioning in relation to one of the largest ever drugs seizures in Ireland - 62 bales of cocaine weighing more than 3,300lb and with an estimated street value of over €400million.
The drugs were discovered after the boat being used to smuggle them got into difficulty off the coast of County Cork in 2007.
The suspect, believed to be number one in the smuggling gang on the ground in Ireland, is being held at a south London police station on conspiracy of attempting to supply Class A drugs.
It is understood he can be held for up to 36 hours.
He had earlier arrived into the UK on a flight from Madrid on the back of a European Arrest Warrant.