UAE 'no safe haven for criminals' following Daniel Kinahan arrest

It follows the arrest of the Kinahan Cartel boss in the UAE last week

A wanted poster of Christopher Kinahan Jnr , Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Vincent Kinahan. Daniel Kinahan was arrested in Dubai last week.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) counter-money laundering boss has said that close cooperation with Irish police has resulted in “extensive financial intelligence” being shared about the Kinahan crime cartel.

Commenting on the dramatic arrest by police in Dubai of cartel boss Daniel Kinahan last week, Hamid Alzaabi said that “coordinated efforts” between police in the UAE and Ireland had also resulted in “assets frozen” linked to the organised crime group.

Mr Alzaabi is the Secretary General and Vice-Chair of the UAE’s National Anti-Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation Financing Committee.

In a social media post on the arrest of “international criminal Daniel Kinahan”, he said: “This outcome follows the issuance of an arrest warrant by an Irish court and reflects sustained, close cooperation between UAE authorities and international partners over several years.

“Through coordinated efforts with counterparts in Ireland, extensive financial intelligence has been shared, networks disrupted, and assets frozen in connection with the Kinahan Organised Crime Group.” 

He also makes specific reference to the role of the Dubai Police in the apprehension of Daniel Kinahan’s right-hand man, Sean McGovern, in 2024.

“It also builds on previous operational successes, including the arrest of Sean McGovern, demonstrating a consistent and determined approach to dismantling the network,” Mr Alzaabi said.

McGovern was arrested in Dubai in October 2024 on foot of an Interpol ‘Red Notice’ and sent back to Ireland the following May.

The Crumlin man was charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation and with the murder of Noel Kirwan, in December 2016, as part of Kinahan-Hutch feud.

Last month, McGovern pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced next Monday.

Mr Alzaabi praised the combined work of the UAE Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice, the Dubai Police and the Irish authorities.

He stressed there was “no safe haven for criminals” in the UAE.

He added: “The 2025 Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with Ireland has further strengthened the legal framework for cooperation, helping to translate intelligence into concrete judicial action and bring those responsible to justice.”