A Kinahan organised criminal gang leader who has been detained in Spain was described by the High Court as being deeply involved in both drug trafficking and violent crime.
Liam Byrne, from Dublin, who is thought to be one of the most trusted members of the Kinahan organised crime group, was arrested on Sunday in Mallorca.
Mr. Byrne has long been a target of the gardaí, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), and other law enforcement organisations. He is an integral figure in global organised crime.
Garda Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly said the arrest of Liam Byrne is a “particularly significant development in the efforts of international law enforcement to dismantle the operations of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group”.
“These arrests are a demonstration of An Garda Siochana’s continued cooperation with our colleagues in the National Crime Agency,” he said.
The Criminal Assets Bureau described him in the High Court as a career criminal heavily involved in drug trafficking and violent crime with connections to international cartels in the UK, Spain and the Netherlands – and closely aligned to the Kinahan organised crime group.
It succeeded in confiscating his assets in Ireland, including his home, and Mr Byrne moved to England.
His brother David, also a Kinahan gang member, was killed in February 2016, a murder which escalated the ongoing Hutch-Kinahan feud.
Mr Byrne was arrested by the Spanish authorities in Majorca, along with another man linked to the Kinahan organised crime gang.
They were detained on foot of a UK extradition warrant following an investigation by the National Crime Agency.
The 42-year-old was arrested yesterday evening in the Alcudia area of Majorca. while eating in a restaurant with family members.
He had flown into Palma Airport from Dubai, UAE, on the 26 May.
Another suspected member of the crime group, Jack Kavanagh, aged 22, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was arrested by officers from the Spanish National Police on 30 May at Malaga Airport while transiting from Dubai to Turkey.
The arrests follow an NCA intelligence-led investigation, supported by the Spanish National Police and officers from An Garda Síochána.
The NCA obtained Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TACA) warrants after EncroChat messages showed they were believed to be involved in the supply and acquisition of firearms.
They are currently in custody while extradition proceedings continue.
Kay Mellor, Regional Head of Investigations at the National Crime Agency said that the investigation is part of the NCA’s ongoing work targeting the Kinahan crime group.
“Liam Byrne and Jack Kavanagh have been evading justice for a number of years, but have now been arrested in relation to serious firearms offences.
“We have an excellent relationship with the Spanish National Police and will continue to work closely with our international partners to ensure those who think they can stay under the radar have no place to hide.”
Source : RTE