Ireland’s top drug trafficker arrested in Spain
The operation was aimed at smashing Christy Kinahan’s global money laundering service, with British police estimating “hundreds of millions of pounds of dirty cash” was invested by his network for criminal gangs in offshore accounts and properties.
Europol, the EU police agency, said his “extensive criminal network” was involved in commercial and financial transactions in South America, Africa and the Far East.
Sources suggested assets linked to Kinahan and his gang may be worth as much as €200 million.
Senior Garda sources and Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the operation would have a serious impact on Kinahan’s empire and on the drug market in Ireland.
Kinahan, and his right-hand man John Cunningham, who was also arrested, supplied most top gangs in Dublin and beyond with cannabis and cocaine.
Operation Shovel began at 4.30am Irish time, with simultaneous raids by around 750 police officers across Ireland, Spain and Britain.
The operation involved:
* 78 searches: 45 in Ireland, 21 in Spain and 12 in Britain – with more planned last night.
* 34 arrests: 22 in Spain, 11 in Britain and one in Ireland.
* 12 Irish people arrested: 11 in Spain, one in Dublin.
* 20 vehicles seized in Spain, almost €1m in cash in Spain and Ireland, and a firearm in Britain.
The arrests in Spain included Kinahan and Cunningham, along with four Spanish lawyers.
Two mansions linked to Kinahan, worth more than €10m, are expected to be frozen by Spanish courts.
Garda sources described Kinahan, aged 53, from Cabra, north Dublin, as “very intelligent”. He is fluent in Spanish and Dutch, was educated to masters level while in prison and, while there, was a fan of Italian philosopher Machiavelli.
Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said: “The message from today’s operation is clear: there is no hiding place for those who seek to bring misery and hurt to communities here in Ireland and abroad. If people choose to trade drugs and death across borders, police will work together.”
Garda National Drugs Unit boss Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Quilter said the gang was an “international” one.
“The fact that a number of prominent Irish criminals have been arrested, I would imagine, there would be an impact to some degree on the drug market.”
Mr Ahern said that “ultimately” gardaí will bring charges as would police forces in other countries. He said the operation would put a “very big dent” in drug smuggling operations.
The head of Britain’s Serious Organised Crime Agency, Trevor Pearce, said the gang supplied “drugs and guns to gangs in cities across the UK and Europe”.
“We also believe this network has been offering a global investment service, ploughing hundreds of millions of pounds of dirty cash into offshore accounts, companies, and property on behalf of criminals.”
