Sinaloa cartel’s mammoth cocaine load pictured entering Europe on Tipperary-reg truck

Sunday World exclusive images from Encrochat files are revealed

A MAMMOTH cocaine load smuggled by a major cartel was photographed on pallets in the back of a Tipperary-registered truck, as documents confirming its arrival into Europe were sent by Encrochat back to South America.

After the drugs were removed from the back of the vehicle, excess goods were taken to an incineration facility in Eastern Europe to be burned.

This is one example of evidence uncovered by Spanish and Chilean police of the massive drug-smuggling operation into Europe by the world’s most dangerous drugs gang – the Sinaloa Cartel.

The Spanish police files obtained by the Sunday World contain images and intricate details of how the European arm of the gang – led by Kerry man Morris O’Shea Salazar – operated and how members of the mob communicated with each other.

Another example is a record of a conversation between O’Shea Salazar and his Kerry henchman – who was arrested on Friday over a €33m seizure of crystal meth at Cork Port.

According to police, they discuss on April 16, 17 and 18, 2020 how to “specify the data necessary for loading a truck with drugs in Malaga, even talking about the disposition of the drugs in the pallets that the truck transports.

Salazar says: “I have the oranges in Cordoba, this one is for Alicante.”

The reply comes back: “Tennis transport brother for this week.”

Salazar then says: “I’m already working on it but the one from Benacassim can’t leave until after the quarantine.”

An Irish truck driver known as ‘Ironic Sugar’ is an integral part of the operation. Guardia Civil Officers believe this man has been taking numerous trips between Bilbao and the UK.

The secret files state: “It would be the driver who is in charge of transporting drugs owned by Morris O’Shea to Ireland, England and Italy camouflaged among the legal cargo of various trailers.

“Specifically the use of trailers. Available information indicates his origin would be Irish.”

The man’s bank account details allegedly show “payment of €500 for having used (a) truck park” which is sent to O’Shea.

Salazar receives numerous messages for refuelling payments from drivers at a variety of truck stops, including one outside Valencia.

An Encrochat user known as ‘OwlBetty’ – another Irish truck driver- contacts a composting plant to destroy several tonnes of fish that were transported in one refrigerated truck.

Police are surprised at the audacity of the Irish narco transporters.

“It is striking that one of the usual procedures for organizations dedicated to drug trafficking is to use transportation companies for certain legal cargo. To camouflage the narcotic substance among this load and destroy once this substance is recovered,” they write.​

‘Ironic Sugar’ is alleged to have sent one truck image to O’Shea using a Belgian distribution company logo. Morris asks “if he is sure he can enter Italy and if he wants the trip for €15,000,” the files state.

Spanish cops note that this is a much higher fee than paid for trips between Spain and Italy.

‘Ironic Sugar’ stops at a workshop outside Gerona for essential truck maintenance.

“This repair appears in the conversation with Morris, being one of the trucks they use to transport drugs abroad because (Ironic Sugar) tells Morris that he no longer knows about a truck with so many kilometres for such long trips and with that load.”

The Irish Sinaloans are specifically worried about trucks aged 11 years or older, the secret files reveal.

The recently arrested -alleged Kerry henchman was recorded flying on many occasions with another Irish man to meet O’Shea, and “during his stays in Spain (they) usually stay in the same hotel.”

There is a trip to Dubai noted on New Year’s Eve 2019, alongside Morris and his partner, Yuliana Brand. Surveillance officer refer to the man as a ‘target’ who uses a specific company on the outskirts of Barcelona for truck repairs.

Personal telephone numbers are prevalent in the secret Encrochat files.

It is alleged by cops that grenades and guns are being offered to an individual called “Mrs Icon” and that these weapons are referred to as ‘jackets.’

“100 jackets that a friend of his has a grenade there are magnums and at a price of €2,300 each – understanding that he is referring to firearms since the aforementioned user responds that he is only looking for ammunition not weapons,” police wrote.

Barcelona, Malaga and Alicante are considered the three ‘points’ in which the organization has the most ‘activity,’ as the Shamrock Sinaloans set their gaze on Scandinavia.

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