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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Michelle Cullen

The seven 'key members' of the Kinahan cartel wanted by cops for huge rewards

The Kinahan organised crime group has been rattled by sanctions from the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Seven key members of the group were named by the OFAC in a statement, alongside three associated businesses.

A reward of up to $5 million has also been offered to anyone who can provide information that will aid the dismantling of the group's operation.

READ MORE: Who is Daniel Kinahan? All you need to know from wife to net worth of man wanted by US authorities

Here is a look at those named in the report and what it will mean for their future:

Christopher Kinahan Senior

Christy Kinahan (wearing black jacket and white jeans) leaving a court in Antwerp, Belgium (Padraig O'Reilly)

Christopher Kinahan Snr is the founder of the cartel and an experienced trafficker from Phibsborough.

It was Christy Snr who started the group that would grow to become one of the largest drug suppliers in Europe.

He currently lives in Dubai as he tries to evade authorities and has been staying in one of the city's most luxurious hotels.

US officials say Christy Snr was "acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the KOCG (Kinahan Organised Crime Group)."

The document also states that he has served prison sentences in three countries, including Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands.

He has previously served six years for dealing heroin, two-and-a-half years for possession of cocaine, and four years for money laundering.

Daniel Kinahan

Daniel Kinahan is now believed to have risen through the ranks of his father's 'business' to become the head of the operation alongside his brother Christopher Jr.

He has attempted to 'sportswash' his criminal career in recent years by trying to make a name for himself as a legitimate boxing promoter.

Daniel has acted as an advisor to some of the biggest names in the sport, including Tyson Fury.

However, he has not been able to escape his criminal roots as US officials state: "Each member of the KOCG reports to Daniel Kinahan, who is believed to run the day-to-day operations of the organisation.

"Daniel Kinahan has instructed KOCG members to send money to a variety of individuals serving prison sentences, including a person convicted of attempted murder on behalf of the KOCG, and an individual imprisoned for murder on behalf of the KOCG.

"Daniel Kinahan, who sources large quantities of cocaine from South America, plays an integral part in organising the supply of drugs in Ireland, and is attempting to facilitate the importation of cocaine into the United Kingdom. Daniel Kinahan is known to have used false identity documents."

Christopher Kinahan Junior

Christopher Jnr is less well known than his older brother but is also accused of being a financial operator of the cartel.

He was previously arrested as part of Operation Shovel in Spain, but he has not faced major criminal convictions.

According to the US authorities, Christopher Jnr was included as he "materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the KOCG".

"Christopher Jr regularly contributes to a fund that is used to pay KOCG members," they added.

Sean McGovern

The Criminal Assets Bureau has successfully targeted Crumlin-native Sean McGovern after his home was seized.

Due to mounting pressure around gardai investigations regarding the Kinahan and Hutch feud, he fled Dublin to Dubai.

He too was sanctioned due to "materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Daniel Kinahan" and was mentioned as being "Daniel Kinahan's advisor and closest confidant" in the US documents.

Ian Dixon

Ian Dixon previously worked as a bartender in the Auld Dubliner in Malaga and is related to the Kinahan's.

He was also arrested by Spanish police investigating the Hutch-Kinahan feud but never faced any charges.

As well as "materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Daniel Kinahan", the document says, "Ian Dixon also oversees a fund on behalf of Daniel Kinahan and keeps track of money owed by a narcotics trafficker."

Bernard Clancy

Since he was a child, Clancy has known Daniel Kinahan and grew up in the same area in the Oliver Bond Flats in south-inner city Dublin.

He previously served a jail sentence for drug offences on the Costa Del Sol, where he spent most of his time in the early 2000s.

According to US authorities, he is believed to be a key lieutenant in the organisation and was tasked with "providing wages to elements within the KOCG and payments to others."

Johnny Morrissey

Morrisey is another close associate of Daniel Kinahan and even attended his luxurious wedding in May 2017.

He has been living in Spain for 20 years.

US authorities said: "John Francis Morrissey, who is currently based in Spain, was designated for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the KOCG.

"John Morrissey has worked for the KOCG for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitates international drug shipments for the organisation from South America. John Morrissey is also involved in money laundering."

READ MORE: US imposes sanctions on senior Kinahan cartel members including Daniel Kinahan as part of international action

READ MORE: Daniel Kinahan continues to 'sportswash his reputation' after 'week from hell' as he poses with Martyn Ford

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