Kinahan cartel ‘fractured’ with Christy ‘under pressure’ in Dubai & details of gang’s new ‘franchise’ drug plot revealed

THE Kinahan cartel still has “significant people” operating across Ireland, The Irish Sun can reveal. The narco terrorist group’s “principal representative” Ross Browning, 48, remains here, but the transnational crime gang no longer has complete control of the entire drugs market. Christy ‘Dapper Don’ Kinahan remains in Dubai Credit: Padraig O'Reilly Cartel lieutenant Sean McGovern was jailed for 24 years Credit: Crispin Rodwell – The Sun Dublin Daniel Kinahan is locked up in Portlaoise Prison after being charged with directing the activities of a criminal organisation Daniel Kinahan was brought back to Ireland on Government jet last week to face a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation Credit: PA Investigators from the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau believe the Kinahan Organised Crime Group’s leadership in Dubai are working with criminal gangs across Europe to control cocaine supply routes from South America to the continent. And the Gardai believe the Kinahan network is now operating a “franchise business” focusing on the drug wholesale and importation role. Many of the Kinahan associates are no longer part of “cell structures” and are no longer taking orders from their HQ in Dubai. The tight control structures are now regarded by Gardai as “fractured and loose.” One investigator said: “The criminal organisation just isn’t as powerful as it once was but they still have major associates in Ireland. “Their cell structures were dismantled when many of their key people were arrested and convicted in the years after the 2016 Kinahan and Hutch feud. “Their business model is different now because there are other gangs now operating on a transnational scale. Kinahan was brought to Portlaoise by Gardai who drove in a convoy of BMWs Credit: Damien Eagers/PA Wire Eddie Hutch was gunned down by a man outside his home in north Dublin “The Kinahan network will never be allowed to become as powerful as it once was. Their members are now more independent. “They have their people in Ireland but the leaders with more authority remain in Dubai and Spain.” We can also reveal that investigations into murders that took place during the feud are ongoing. One of the biggest probes was into the murder of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch’s brother Eddie, 58, who was shot dead on February 8, 2016, just three days after the infamous Regency Hotel attack. A huge investigation file on the murder is currently with the Director of Public Prosecutions. We understand new technology — used to help convict Sean McGovern, 40, of directing the hit teams who murdered Noel Kirwan in December 2016 and the attempted hit on James Gately in April 2017 — has been used in the investigation. Former Supt Martin Mooney, who was in charge of the probe between 2020 and 2023, hopes a decision will soon be made by the DPP. Investigators from the Gardai’s North Central Division have already been successful in bringing prosecutions against those responsible for the murders of Michael Barr, 35, and Gareth Hutch, also 35, in 2016. Mr Mooney told us: “The work that has gone into compiling this massive investigation file has been phenomenal. “It’s certainly one of the biggest files I ever came across before I retired in 2023. “The use of new technology when it came to analysing encrypted phones was also utilised in the investigation. “In my view the investigators have completed a very professional and comprehensive investigation file — just as they did in other investigations. “I would hope that once analysed the DPP can give a direction to charge a number of individuals in relation to this callous murder.” Christopher Jnr also remains in Dubai Credit: Crispin Rodwell – The Sun Dublin Johnny ‘Cash’ Morrissey is still under investigation in Spain’s Costa del Sol Credit: Solarpix Kinahan’s ‘principal representative’ Ross Browning remains in Ireland Credit: Padraig O'Reilly Garda Justin Kelly confirmed that investigations into the Kinahan cartel were ongoing Credit: Garrett White He added: “It’s possible there could be a number of serious charges arising out of this investigation. “All we can do now is await the DPP’s direction.” At present, cartel founder Christy ‘Dapper Don’ Kinahan, 69, and his son Christopher Jnr, 45 remain in Dubai. The father and son are the focus of $5million rewards leading to their arrest by the US Treasury Department The pair stayed on in Dubai despite Daniel Kinahan’s extradition to Ireland from the UAE last week to face a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation. Another investigator told us: “Things aren’t going too well for Christy Kinahan and his son at the moment. They haven’t many options available but they have chosen to remain in Dubai. “They have been under serious pressure for years but still find time to meet for nice meals. The father and son remain free for the moment but they know they remain the focus of major investigation from European law enforcement agencies and also in America.” The rewards were issued in 2022 along with sanctions against other members of the group. They include Ian Dixon, 35 who was identified as “arranging multiple payments” for the cartel, and Bernard Clancy, 45 who was identified as a “key lieutenant.” Johnny ‘Cash’ Morrissey, 66, is still under investigation in Spain’s Costa del Sol. Gardai and their international colleagues have targeted money laundering, arms importation and drug smuggling networks as part of their efforts to completely dismantle the gang. In terms of the cartel’s drugs operations, most shipmentscome through Holland and Spain. Once landed in those countries, Kinahan associates arrange transport to Ireland. After landing here the drugs are then passed to other crime groups for distribution. Many of the crime gangs in Ireland are also sourcing their own cocaine supply routes from South America. Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly confirmed on Wednesday that investigations into the Kinahan cartel were ongoing. He said: “We got Daniel Kinahan back home to court and he’s now in Portlaoise Prison. We are certainly not finished with this. There are other people we are very interested in so we will continue our work. “We are relentless around this. This isn’t the end of it, certainly not. “The people I really want to mark out are those people in the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau who for ten years day in and day out have been working on these cases. “I want to congratulate these people on the work that they have done.”