Targeted crime empire 'the biggest in Spain'

Garda sources said the crime empire targeted in a Europe-wide operation in which more than two dozen people were arrested, was run by a gang considered the number one organised gang in Spain.

An Irishman was arrested with his two sons in Spain today, suspected of masterminding an international drugs, guns and money laundering crime empire.

The man, in his 50s, was detained in the Malaga area as Irish authorities co-ordinated a series of raids across Europe with counterparts in Spain, Belgium and the UK.

It is understood that more than two dozen people were arrested across the continent, a number of them Irish.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern said the massive police operation showed the determination to crack down on international gangs.

“I want to commend the work of An Garda Siochana and their colleagues in Spain, the United Kingdom and Belgium for the carefully planned operation against organised crime which has culminated in a wide range of law enforcement actions in a number of countries today,” the minister said.

“The fact is that no border will protect those involved in organised crime. Today’s events are evidence of the determination of those involved in law enforcement, fully supported by their governments, to take international gangs on.”