Man may have been killed for refusing to carry drug money

POLICE in Portugal are investigating whether a Cork drug dealer was murdered after he refused to deliver money to pay for a drug consignment.

It emerged yesterday that Michael ‘Danser’ Ahern, 38, was part of an Irish gang in the Algarve which was apparently trying to purchase a large quantity of cocaine from Spain.

Ahern was found dead in a large fridge in an apartment in the resort town of Albufeira last Friday. He had been badly beaten and shot a number of times in the head.

Five members of the gang he was working for were arrested and detained under the Portuguese judicial system pending a full inquiry.

Police found a number of large plastic bags in the apartment, which is in the newly developed marina area of the town. They believe the gang may have planned to cut up the deceased in order to dispose of his body more easily.

It is thought that Ahern was being pressurised to travel to the Spanish city of Seville to purchase a consignment of cocaine from a major supplier.

It’s understood that the Corkman refused to do so, although the reasons are not yet clear. He is also reported to have threatened to leave the gang.

His immediate boss in the gang in the Algarve notified the overall gang leader, who had just returned to Ireland. The gang boss is understood to have ordered his death.

There were also reports that Ahern may have come under suspicion for possibly supplying information to gardaí.

Two major consignments belonging to the gang were intercepted within the last month by the Garda National Drugs Unit.

The two hauls, totalling 47 kilos, had an estimated street value of €3.25 million. A number of gang members were arrested and charged.

Ahern is also reported to have developed a drug habit and may have been deemed to be unreliable by the gang.

He is believed to have been kidnapped by gang members near his home in Lagos, west of Albufeira, last Thursday.

He was shot four times when he tried to flee. His body was dumped in the boot of a BMW and taken to the apartment in Albufeira.

Police, who are believed to have had the gang under surveillance, moved on the gang members and arrested them.

Three of the four arrested are from Cork city, while a fourth is from Coolock, north Dublin. A fifth man is from Portugal, but has a British passport.

The investigation could take up to six months.