Senior gardaí arrive in Dubai as noose tightens around Kinahan cartel

Officers from Organized and Serious Crime, the Garda National Drugs and Organized Crime Bureau and the Garda National Criminal Investigation Bureau are meeting their counterparts from Dubai Police.

The panel is led by Detective Superintendent Seamus Boland, Ireland’s most senior police officer tackling organized crime, who has previously vowed to pursue the Kinahan crime group “until the group is eliminated”.

According to a Garda spokesman, the purpose of the meeting is to discuss ongoing police co-operation and gardai’s “relentless pursuit” of organized crime groups both in Ireland and abroad.

Also attending the meeting was a senior official from Interpol Headquarters in Lyon and the UAE Garda Liaison Officer.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said today: “The recent signing of extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements between Ireland and the UAE is a very welcome development, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of international law enforcement and governments to combat cross-border organized crime.

“Specifically, this is another example of the significant policing, political and diplomatic efforts being made to pursue transnational organized crime groups and other specific individuals with a view to bringing them to justice.

“As part of these efforts, An Garda Síochána will continue to work closely with our colleagues in the UAE.”

Garda Commissioner Harris revealed that senior gardaí from the Garda National Drugs and Organized Bureau have traveled to the UAE in recent days “to assist with ongoing law enforcement activities there”.

This latest move follows the arrest of wanted Kinahan gangster Sean McGovern earlier this month.

Garda Commissioner Harris said the arrest follows a year of improving professional relations between An Garda Síochána and Dubai Police.

“This includes operational cooperation, the exchange of expertise and learning, and the exchange of training,” the commissioner had previously said.

Following McGovern’s arrest, the commissioner directly appealed to members of the Kinahan cartel to consider turning over the gang’s leader, Daniel Kinahan, in exchange for a $15 million reward and US federal witness protection.

Describing the Kinahans as a “murderous gang of drug dealers”, Commissioner Drew Harris said they remained one of their primary targets and their legitimate business had collapsed in recent years.

Gardaí want to charge McGovern with organized crime offenses relating to the murder of innocent grandfather Noel ‘Duck Egg’ Kirwan (62) in 2016 and a plot to murder Hutch gangster James ‘Mago’ Gately (37) in 2017.

McGovern, who is considered Daniel Kinahan’s closest confidant and second-in-command, fled to Dubai in April 2017 after his arrest and was later released under garda investigation.

Addressing the media in Cork, Mr Harris described McGovern’s arrest as “significant” and a “significant development” in the fight against cross-border organized crime.

“This is very welcome and more details regarding identity and next steps will be announced over the next few days,” he said.

Commenting broadly on the Kinahan gang, he said Gardaí were determined and relentless in their pursuit.

“They are Irish citizens, the Kinahan organized crime group has created misery around the world, they are involved in very serious crime and are a murderous gang of drug dealers, so they are one of our main targets. from a law enforcement perspective.”

The Garda Commissioner also made a direct appeal to other cartel members who have not yet been arrested to surrender their leadership.

“Then, perhaps unusually, I would speak to other members of the Kinahan organized crime gang. They should look around, see what’s going on here, and remember that US federal law enforcement has $15 million on hand and the US federal protection plan is open, and take that into consideration.

“As you say, given the progress and penetration we have collectively made into the Kinahan organized crime gang, not only us but also their own futures, including the National Crime Agency (NCA), Europol or other partners, should be considering their own US federal law enforcement counterparts.

In April 2022, the US State Department announced a $15 million reward for information leading to the conviction of gang leader Daniel Kinahan, his brother Christopher Jnr, and their father Christy Snr.

Mr Harris said “real progress” had been made since sanctions were imposed on the gang and its legitimate business had been disrupted.

“We were successful in obtaining intelligence on various members of the Kinahan organized crime group and hence criminal justice interventions; This includes a joint effort with the NCA and the US Drug Enforcement Administration, and we have been successful in thwarting many criminals. attempt.

“But those really remain the primary target and a lot of our energy and effort is frankly directed towards bringing the overall leadership of the Kinahan organized crime group to justice.”