Fallen mob boss Thomas “Bomber’ Kavanagh could be forced to pay up millions – or face more jail time over his criminal assets.
Kavanagh, a senior member of the Kinahan cartel, was jailed for 21 years on Monday for his role in a €36million drug importation plot this week.
But the 54-year-old also faces a significant fine to settle a new criminal assets case against him in the UK –worth an estimated €2million.
The National Crime Agency has obtained freezing orders allowing them to seize watches, bikes, jewellery and Kavanagh’s plush, “heavily fortified” Tamworth mansion - which on its own is estimated to be worth at least €1million.
We have learned that in the coming months a UK court will set a timetable for the assets case, but in that time Kavanagh will be presented with a benefit figure based on what is called “realisable assets”.
Kavanagh will be given a period of time to settle the order by paying or he may be given further jail time.
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Meanwhile the NCA has declined to confirm if it is investigating Kavanagh’s boss – Daniel Kinahan.
It comes after Kieran Vaughan QC, who was defending Kavanagh in his high-profile court case this week, said “there are others not before the court who are above” his client.
NCA Deputy Director of Investigations Matt Horne name the Kinahan gang and said Kavanagh was a high-ranking member.
In response to a query from this paper as to whether it is going after Kinahan, the NCA said: “The indictment speaks for itself in terms of who was involved in this conspiracy.
“As for wider investigations, the NCA don’t routinely confirm or deny the existence of investigations, or the names of those who may or may not be under investigation.
“The conviction of Thomas Kavanagh and his associates represents a significant disruption to the Organised Crime Group’s activities in the UK and beyond.”
Read more: Gardai to reveal some of mobster Daniel Kinahan's most personal secrets
Read more: Daniel Kinahan was 'six metres from death' during Regency Hotel attack
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