Gardaí probe identity of man arrested in Spain
The man was one of seven people arrested on Tuesday by a Spanish organised crime unit after they seized 115kgs of cocaine, worth an estimated €5.5 million.
The haul and arrests were made in Cancelada, near the resort town of Estepona, close to where Doyle was shot dead.
A Spanish government spokesman linked the haul to Doyle’s murder, but Garda sources remained cautious yesterday of a connection.
“The Spanish police are not saying the seizure is linked to the murder,” said a Garda source. “They are investigating if there is a link, but have not yet made the connection.”
He said the Garda authorities were assisting the Spanish police in their inquiries both in relation to the murder and the arrest of the man claiming to be Irish.
It is understood the man gave an Irish name to Spanish police on his arrest. “It is not a name known here, so we have not confirmed his identity or even his nationality,” said the source.
“He could be Irish, just that he’s given a different name.”
It is understood that the other six arrested include four British nationals and two Moroccans.
It emerged yesterday that Spanish police raided a mansion in Cancelada following the drugs haul. They confiscated €80,000 in cash, a firearm and documents.
It has been suggested that Doyle, who trafficked massive quantities of drugs into Ireland for a leading gang, may have got into trouble with a local drug gang.
There were separate reports yesterday that Doyle, who acted as a hitman for the drug gang in Ireland, got into a row with a local criminal and seriously assaulted him.
It has been claimed that this man sought revenge and that his associates ambushed Doyle after he left his apartment complex in Cancelada at lunchtime on Monday.
Doyle was known by gardaí, and had convictions for violence and is suspected of being involved in at least two murders in Dublin.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
