The United States are offering a reward of up to $5,000,000 for information that leads to the 'financial disruption' of the Kinahan crime organisation or the arrest and conviction of three of its leaders.
A press briefing was held this morning following last night's announcement that the US is imposing sanctions on senior members of the Kinahan cartel as part of international action to clamp down on the group's activities.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued the order against the 'Kinahan Organized Crime Group' along with seven of its key members.
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These include Christy Kinahan Senior, Daniel Kinahan, Christy Kinahan Jr, and three associated businesses.
Speaking at this morning's Gardai and international law enforcements partners' press conference, US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin announced the reward for information on three of the Kinahan Transnational Criminal Organisation's (KTCO) leaders.
"The KTCO has been accused of a wide range of heinous crimes all around the world, including murder and trafficking firearms and narcotics," she said.
"Countering transnational organised crime is an urgent priority for President Biden and the US Government.
"Transnational organised crime is a multi-billion dollar business that transcends geographical boundaries and threatens global stability and democracies.
"Today, the United States Department of State is pleased to announce a reward of up to $5,000,000 for information leading to financial disruption of the KTCO or the arrest and convictions of its leaders: Daniel Joseph Kinahan, Christopher Kinahan Jr and Christopher Vincent Kinahan.
"This reward is offered under the Department of State's transnational organised crime rewards programme."
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris said the measures announced will deal a 'heavy flow' to the gang.
"What you will hear today is a culmination of years of hard work and dedication resulting in a series of important enforcement measures that will deal a heavy blow, if not a crippling blow to the Kinahan organised crime gang," he said.
"It is a demonstration of the strength of resolve amongst all of us to put an end to a gang that has caused so much destruction and death here and abroad."
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