Ireland has signed an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), marking a major step in the fight against the Kinahan crime family. This comes just days after one of the gang’s top members was caught in Dubai, showing that the authorities are closing in on one of Europe’s most dangerous criminal groups.

The Kinahan Cartel and Its Influence

The Kinahan cartel, led by Daniel Kinahan, is a major part of the Dubai-based “super cartel” that is believed to supply about one-third of Europe’s cocaine. Despite their power, recent events show that their days of getting away with crime might be ending. Ireland’s justice minister, Helen McEntee, signed two treaties in Abu Dhabi with her UAE counterpart, Abdullah bin Sultan bin Awad al Nuaimi, after more than two years of diplomatic work. These agreements are seen as an important step in fighting organized crime together.

Impact of the Extradition Treaty

The extradition treaty is expected to have a big impact on the Kinahan cartel, which has used Dubai as a safe place to avoid justice. Unlike other major drug lords in Europe, such as the Netherlands’ Ridouan Taghi and Italy’s Raffaele Imperiale, who have both been caught and sentenced, Daniel Kinahan has managed to avoid the same fate – until now. The lack of an extradition agreement with the UAE had made it hard for Ireland to bring Kinahan and his associates to justice.

The treaties were signed as two senior members of the Kinahan cartel, Liam Byrne and Thomas “Bomber” Kavanagh, wait for sentencing at the Old Bailey in London for firearms charges. Both Byrne and Kavanagh are seen as top leaders of the cartel’s UK and Irish operations, and their guilty pleas are another blow to the crime family. Meanwhile, Dubai authorities have arrested Sean McGovern, believed to be Daniel Kinahan’s right-hand man, who has been living in Dubai for years. McGovern, described by Interpol as “one of Ireland’s most wanted fugitives,” is wanted in Ireland on murder charges. His arrest, which came soon after the extradition treaty was signed, raises hopes that he could be sent back to Ireland to face justice.

Potential Extradition of Key Members

The Irish police, known as the Gardaí, and the justice ministry have not yet commented on whether McGovern’s extradition will happen now that the treaty is in place. However, experts believe that if the UAE receives a formal request from Ireland with detailed charges, extradition proceedings could start soon through the UAE’s local courts. If McGovern is put on trial in Ireland, it could reveal important information about the Kinahan cartel’s operations and shed light on how this notorious crime group works.

Ireland’s director of public prosecutions has also been looking at a Garda file on Daniel Kinahan for over a year, but has not yet said whether charges will be brought against him. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has made a public appeal to members of the Kinahan cartel, urging them to leave the gang and cooperate with authorities. “They should look around them, they should see what is happening here and they should remember that there is $15 million with US Federal Law Enforcement and the US Federal witness protection scheme open, and they should consider that… given the progress… we are making to the Kinahan organized crime gang,” Harris said. The United States has offered rewards of $5 million each for information leading to the arrest of Daniel Kinahan, his father Christy Kinahan Sr, and his brother Christopher Kinahan.

UAE’s Crackdown on the Cartel

The UAE has already frozen the Kinahan cartel’s assets, showing that the Gulf state is serious about cracking down on the gang’s activities. The UAE has also been working with other countries on law enforcement, which helped it get removed from a watch list of international money laundering destinations earlier this year. These efforts give hope that the UAE will support Ireland in its fight against organized crime.

For years, the Kinahans seemed untouchable, using their wealth and power to avoid law enforcement in many countries. At their peak, their activities brought in what one top detective called “mind-boggling” wealth. Daniel Kinahan, who took over the cartel from his father Christy Kinahan Sr, has built connections to the world of professional boxing, using the sport to launder money and grow his influence. He has been seen at many high-profile boxing events, and his involvement in the sport has drawn attention from both law enforcement and the media. Despite trying to distance himself from crime, Daniel Kinahan’s ties to the underworld have continued to follow him, and his time avoiding justice might be ending.

The End of the Kinahan’s Safe Haven?

People living in Dubai have reported seeing the Kinahans, but it’s not clear if they are still there. There is speculation about whether the cartel will try to move to another country to avoid being caught. However, with the UAE now taking a strong stance against the gang, their options for a safe place are shrinking. The signing of the extradition treaty between Ireland and the UAE has made it harder for the Kinahans to operate freely, and it looks like the authorities are closing in on Daniel Kinahan and his associates.

A Major Breakthrough in the Fight Against Organized Crime

The events in Dubai are a big breakthrough in the international fight against organized crime. The Kinahan cartel has been a major player in the European drug trade for years, and their ability to operate out of Dubai without much trouble has been a source of frustration for law enforcement across Europe. The signing of the extradition treaty shows the power of diplomacy and international cooperation in fighting crime across borders. It sends a clear message that no matter how powerful or well-connected a criminal group is, they are not beyond the reach of justice.

The story of the Kinahan cartel is far from over, and the next few months will be important in deciding whether Daniel Kinahan and his associates will finally face justice for their crimes. If key members of the cartel, like Sean McGovern, are extradited, it could provide crucial evidence that would help take down the organization once and for all. For now, the world watches as the authorities close in on one of Europe’s most notorious crime families.