The US announced a $5 million reward on Tuesday for information leading to the arrest of the leaders of Ireland’s Kinahan drug trafficking gang, which is compared to some of the world’s most renowned criminal organizations.
Financial sanctions were also applied by the US on gang bosses who, according to Irish authorities, went from supplying heroin and cocaine in Dublin in the 1990s to operating across Europe.
Over 1 billion euros ($1.09 billion) was estimated to have been earned through a wide range of criminal activity, including more than a dozen killings.
One of the three leaders named by US authorities, Daniel Kinahan, has been involved in high-profile boxing contests in recent years. Tyson Fury, the world heavyweight champion, credited him with facilitating a unification bout two years ago.
“As of today, the Kinahan international criminal organization joins the ranks of Italy’s Camorra, Mexico’s Los Zetas, Japan’s Yakuza, and Russia’s ‘Thieves In Law,'” said Gregory Gatjanis, an associate director at the US Treasury Department.
NO PLACE TO HIDE.
The reward was also offered for information leading to the financial disruption of Daniel Kinahan, who is thought to be in charge of day-to-day operations, as well as his brother Christopher Junior and father Christopher Senior, the gang’s founder, and commander, according to the Treasury Department.
All three are in the United Arab Emirates, a country with which Ireland has no extradition treaty. According to the US Treasury Department, the gang frequently uses Dubai as a base for illegal activities.
Those in the sporting world affiliated with the Kinahans, according to Irish police Chief Drew Harris, should examine that.
Fury’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from reporters.
Daniel Kinahan’s lawyer told the BBC last year that his client has no criminal record or convictions, and that the allegations that he is a crime leader are unfounded. The Kinahans’ representatives could not be reached by reporters.
“I would tell them (the Kinahans) that they can escape, but they can’t hide from punishment forever. They’ll be short on cash, friends, and clout starting today “Members of the US Drug Enforcement Administration, Europol, and the UK’s National Crime Agency were also present at the news conference, according to Harris.
