GANG HUNT

Net closes further on Kinahan cartel mobsters as Dubai cops in major Garda link-up amid new extradition deal plot

A major, captain and lieutenant from the Dubai Police have arrived to further their investigation

• Published: 18:49, 24 Oct 2023
• Updated: 19:49, 24 Oct 2023

THE net is closing in on the leaders of the Kinahan Cartel with top cops from Dubai in Dublin this week to discuss the gardai’s investigation into the gang.

It comes as Justice Minister Helen McEntee met with her UAE counterpart to discuss a possible extradition deal that could see the Kinahans brought back to Ireland to face a range of criminal allegations.

Last month Garda Commissioner Drew Harris flew to Dubai to meet with Commander in Chief of the Dubai Police to discuss working together to clamp down on transnational crime gangs.

Senior members of the Kinahan Cartel including Daniel Kinahan are believed to be based in Dubai where they are running their multi-billion euro criminal enterprise.

A major, captain and lieutenant from the Dubai Police have this week arrived in Dublin for a series of discussions with Commissioner Harris to further their investigation into organised crime gangs.

Commissioner Harris said that the Dubai Police have provided gardai with “great assistance” with their ongoing investigations into transnational organised crime.

He said: “These organised crime gangs cause misery not only in the countries they originate from, but across the globe.

“It is only through international co-operation among law enforcement that these gangs will be disrupted and dismantled.

“I want to thank the Departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs for their support for the expansion of the Garda international liaison network, which includes offices in the US, Colombia, Dubai, UK and Europe, with an additional office in Thailand to open shortly.”

It comes after Justice Minister Helen McEntee this week held talks with the Justice Minister of the United Arab Emirates Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi to explore an extradition deal between Ireland and the UAE.

Minister McEntee said she had a positive discussion with the UAE Minister about the possibility of a bilateral treaty on extradition, mutual legal assistance and the transfer of sentenced prisoners.

She said: “Crime is a global enterprise for many organised crime gangs and some individuals cross borders in an attempt to evade justice.

“We are working to build upon the positive coalitions built by An Garda Síochána to tackle transnational crime, and are determined that borders will not be barriers to effective criminal justice co-operation.”