A WHEEL SUCCESS FOR COPS IN KINAHAN WAR
Cars, drugs & a Harley seized in raids on biker clubs linked to crime cartel
GARDAI yesterday raided properties linked to two “motorcycle clubs” – both believed to have connections to the Kinahan cartel.
The first search took place in Crumlin, Co Dublin, where a meeting house used by exiled mobster Liam Byrne’s crime gang was targeted.
The second bust took place in Limerick on the home and other properties of a man linked to international “outlaw” bikers the Bandidos.
A source said: “This is an interesting series of operations.
“The Dublin raid was targeting a group with members who are linked to the Byrne Organised Crime Group.
“The Byrne OCG are linked to the Kinahan gang and riders from that club provided an escort to Regency murder victim David Byrne who was a senior player in the Kinahan OCG.
“The Limerick raid was on a man who has links to a motorcycle gang, Bandidos, who are suspected of involvement in serious international organised crime.
“There was a murder in Limerick a number of years ago in a dispute between motorcycle groups.” Members of the Drugs And Organised Crime Bureau, backed up by local gardai and the ERU, launched the raid at the club house in Windmill Road, Crumlin.
A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm a number of knives were located during this search, which is now completed. Investigations are ongoing.”
In Limerick, gardai and Criminal Asset Bureau members raided five houses and one “professional premises”. They seized three cars and a Harley Davidson motorbike along with mobile phones, computers and documentation. They also found a drug dealing tick list and weighing scales.
A spokesman said: “A quantity of suspected cocaine valued at approximately €20,000 was seized. A 42-year-old man has been arrested and is being detained at Henry Street Garda station.
“The CAB investigation centres on an individual member of an organised crime gang involved in the sale and supply of controlled drugs in the Limerick city and county area.
“This morning’s search operation is a significant development.”
A source said yesterday: “Gardai have been monitoring them very closely. There is serious organised crime using this biker gang as a way to operate a criminal enterprise.
“It is believed they hooked up with the Kinahan group as they are the drug wholesalers.
“The concern is that will bring serious international organised crime with it and then serious gangland murder.”