Daniel Joseph Kinahan, a 48-year-old Irish fugitive suspected of leading a major international drug trafficking and money laundering network, was arrested in Dubai on Wednesday by UAE police acting on an Irish arrest warrant.
The arrest ends a years-long manhunt for Kinahan, who Irish authorities allege is a senior leader of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, one of Europe’s most dangerous criminal networks.
Irish police had issued the warrant through the High Court in Dublin, and the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that Kinahan face trial in Ireland on organised crime charges.
He remains in Dubai custody pending extradition proceedings, which Irish officials say are now moving forward under the bilateral agreement between Ireland and the UAE.
Irish government credits UAE cooperation for swift arrest
The Irish government publicly thanked UAE authorities for their role in the arrest, describing it as a result of strong judicial cooperation between the two countries.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the arrest demonstrates that the extradition agreement between Ireland and the UAE is now working effectively and that due process will follow.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan confirmed he contacted his UAE counterpart to express thanks for what he called “strong judicial cooperation” in locating and detaining Kinahan.
UAE authorities describe Kinahan as international fugitive
UAE police referred to Kinahan as a fugitive allegedly involved in an international organised crime network and said his arrest was part of a joint effort to combat cross-border crime.
The operation that led to his detention began within 48 hours of the Irish arrest warrant’s arrival in Dubai, according to Irish officials.
Kinahan has been under sanctions by the U.S. Treasury Department since 2022 for his alleged role in the Kinahan cartel, which is accused of smuggling drugs, laundering money, and facilitating violence across Europe and beyond.
Why was Daniel Kinahan wanted?
Irish and U.S. Authorities allege Kinahan was a key figure in the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, which is suspected of trafficking large quantities of cocaine and heroin into Europe, laundering criminal proceeds through businesses and property, and orchestrating murders and kidnappings linked to gang feuds.
What happens next in the extradition process?
Kinahan will remain in UAE custody while Irish authorities formally request his extradition; if approved under the bilateral treaty, he would be transferred to Ireland to face trial on organised crime charges, though the timeline for this process is not yet public.