KINAHAN BOSS HELD IN UK RAID
Gardai join cops to smash suspected guns and drugs plot at airport
GARDAI and UK cops smashed a suspected plot to flood Ireland with guns and drugs – and lifted the Kinahan cartel’s No2.
The 51-year-old was arrested in the joint swoop at Birmingham Airport along with a man aged 20. A source said: “He is a senior member
of the Kinahan cartel. He is their main logistics man, like a chief operating officer in a company.
“He was lifted shortly after 9am on Saturday. The joint operation between Irish and UK authorities has proved very successful.
“The suspect is No2 in the Kinahan gang. He has been living in the UK for the past 10 years ever since the CAB targeted him.
“But he has spent that time travelling to Spain and the Middle East where the Kinahans are hiding out.
“The suspect has convictions for assault, threats to kill, possession of firearms and assaults on gardai.”
The UK’S National Crime Agency said the pair were held as part of a probe into the supply of drugs and guns into Ireland and Britain.
A spokesman added: “A 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to import and supply drugs, firearms and ammunition, as well as money laundering offences on arrival at Birmingham Airport this morning.
“At the same location a second man, aged 20, was arrested on suspicion of money laundering offences. “NCA officers, supported by colleagues from Staffordshire Police, are also searching a property in the Tamworth area and a business premises in Birmingham.” The Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau and the Criminal Assets Bureau were involved in the swoop and travelled to the UK.
The two suspects were quizzed at a Staffordshire police station yesterday afternoon.
The Irish Sunday Mirror has learned the older man has been released on station bail, pending examination of documents and computers. Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’driscoll said he would not comment on any particular operation. But he added: “For the purpose of tackling organised crime groups An Garda Siochana has commenced the new year in the manner in which it intends to proceed
He is their main logistics man, like a chief operating officer in the company SOURCE ON SUSPECT ARRESTED IN SWOOP YESTERDAY
in 2019, by engaging in the most impactful possible co-operation with law enforcement authorities, at an international level.”