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Dubai detectives to travel to Ireland in move to bring

down Kinahan cartel bosses

Formal offer was made by the Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai police force following a high-level meeting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month

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An investigation team from the Dubai police service is set to travel to Ireland to help bring down the leaders of the Kinahan crime gang.

The Sunday World has learned that the formal offer was made by the Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai police force following a high-level meeting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month.

The unprecedented level of cooperation between the security agencies marks a further significant development as part of international efforts to take down the murderous crime group.

Commissioner Drew Harris yesterday said that the recent trip to Dubai was to develop the Garda’s relationship with police there around the sharing of intelligence and evidence.

The Kinahan cartel leadership including Christy Kinahan and his two sons, Daniel and Christopher Jnr, are still based in Dubai along with several top-level associates.

Speaking today Mr Harris said he had a “very positive” meeting with Commander-in-Chief, his excellency Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri.

The Commissioner also said there has been an exchange of letters and an understanding between the police forces but also said that he did not want to set out the next steps in the strategy around the Kinahan cartel.

The Irish Independent has learned that the letter was a formal offer of a bi-lateral agreement between the police services and was sent within 48 hours of Mr Harris visiting Dubai.

It included an offer that the Dubai police would send an investigation team to Ireland to advance inquiries into the Kinahan crime group, which was agreed to by the Garda Commissioner.

The recent high-level meeting was also attended by Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly, in charge of Serious and Organised Crime, and was the first time the senior gardaí had formally visited the UAE.

Senior police officers in charge of financial crime and money laundering investigations in Dubai also attended the meeting.

Mr Kelly had earlier held discussions with officers from the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) over investigations into the Kinahan leadership.

Last month a comprehensive investigate file was submitted to State prosecutors recommending that Daniel Kinahan be charged with directing an organised crime gang.

A large aspect of the case relies on compromised mobile communications with the offence, on conviction, carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

Security services are also continuing to monitor the movements of Crumlin man Sean McGovern who is wanted here to face charges of murder and involvement in the plot to kill Hutch associate James ‘Mago’ Gately.

McGovern, described as Daniel Kinahan’s “closest confidant”, is still believed to be in Dubai and work on his return to face charges before the Special Criminal Court is continuing.

While Ireland and the UAE have no formal extradition agreement, senior crime figures have previously been removed from the Emirate to countries where they are facing prosecution.

Last year the US Department of Treasury announced a combined $15 million reward for information leading to the dismantling of the Kinahan cartel leadership.

This included any assistance which would lead to the prosecution and conviction of Christy Kinahan Snr and his sons.

Detectives believe that Daniel Kinahan is responsible for running the day-to-day operations of the gang while his brother is in charge of its finances.