Evil mob boss Daniel Kinahan stayed put in Dubai because he feared he’d be arrested if he ever attempted to flee the country, The Irish Sunday Mirror can reveal.
The cartel kingpin, along with his dad, Christy, and brother Christopher Junior, ruled out any plans to run, ultimately believing this would lead to them being placed behind bars.
But in a sensational development on Friday, specialist officers from the Dubai Police nabbed the 48-year-old in the desert city following a covert operation, just two days after Irish authorities issued a warrant.
The arrest followed months of tireless work from members of the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
Senior Gardai had taken multiple secret trips to the Gulf State in recent months to work out a plan with their Emirati counterparts to snatch Kinahan once the Director of Public Prosecutions signalled he could be charged and Irish authorities issued an extradition request.
It is understood that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has directed that Kinahan be charged in relation to directing a criminal organisation – following an extensive and meticulous investigation by gardai that culminated in the file being sent over two years ago.
Irish Courts then issued a warrant for his arrest on Wednesday, and Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan sent an extradition request to the United Arab Emirates, which swung into action.
The Irish Sunday Mirror understands authorities in the UAE were aware a charge was coming down the line for months.
Kinahan will now have the option to fight his extradition back to Ireland, but Gardai believe he will be back on Irish soil before his 49th birthday on June 25. If convicted, Kinahan could face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
His dad, Christy and brother Christopher are understood to still be in Dubai.
Last year, Kinahan lieutenant Sean McGovern became the first person extradited from the UAE to Ireland, following the 2024 treaty between the two nations.
In March, McGovern pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court to directing a criminal organisation.
The 39-year-old, with a previous address at Kildare Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, pleaded guilty to a charge of directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 20 and December 22, 2016, both dates inclusive, both within and outside the State, in relation to the murder of Christopher aka Noel Kirwan.
McGovern also admitted directing the activities of a criminal organisation between October 17, 2015 and April 6, 2017, both dates inclusive, both within and outside the State, in connection with the surveillance of James Gately in preparation for the commission of an indictable offence. He will be sentenced on April 27.
It’s believed that Kinahan, like McGovern before he was extradited, is being held at Dubai Central Jail, also known as Al Awir Central Jail.
Conditions inside the jail have been criticised by former inmates and human rights groups.
British man Karl Williams spent a year in hellhole prison back in 2012. He penned a memoir about his time there and said he saw people being stabbed to death.
He also claimed electric shocks were administered to his testicles and spoke of his fear that he would be gang-raped by corrupt officers.
Prison regulations also require all male inmates to have shaved heads.
In a statement issued on Friday, Gardai said: “An Garda Síochána is aware of the arrest of an Irish National in the United Arab Emirates.
“The male, in his late 40’s, was arrested on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish Courts in relation to alleged Serious Organised Crime offences.
“The arrest is in accordance with the bi-lateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and United Arab Emirates.
“The arrest of the Irish National in Dubai remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time.”
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