Cartel fears blitz after ally tied to phone hack quizzed

KNOCKOUT BLOW TO CRIME BOSS

THE KINAHAN cartel is fearing a fresh onslaught from cops after a key associate linked to its encrypted phone network was quizzed by gardai.

This could be a big blow to the Kinahan network as many of the cartel’s innermost secrets have been exposed to police forces.

It emerged this week European cops had infiltrated a coded communications network being used by the top layer of the underworld.

Officers were listening in as thousands of drug deals, murders and crimes were plotted using the encrypted ‘Encrochat’ phone system.

Gardai have not confirmed any intelligence from the hack was used in operations here.

However, the cartel’s worst fears were confirmed when a key associate was arrested.

The man was quizzed after a CAB operation targeting a massive money laundering ring uncovered up to a million euro.

It’s alleged the dirty money racket was washing proceeds of crime for multiple Irish gangs including the cartel.

But the Sunday Mirror has learned one man questioned by gardai is also suspected of helping set up an ‘Encrochat’ network for the Kinahans.

Aside from Daniel Kinahan’s dreams of becoming a boxing kingpin, he is reeling from other setbacks including:

Gardai have launched a drive to pursue the cartel chiefs to Dubai

The Irish Government is working with the UAE to smoke the family out of their hideaway, and

Kinahan also suffered a personal blow when his mother-in-law died in a Dublin hospital after an illness.