Dubai Police Arrest Daniel Kinahan on Organised Crime Charges

Kinahan has long been accused of leading the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, which the United States named in 2022 as one of three major leaders of the network.

Dubai police confirmed the arrest of alleged Irish crime boss Daniel Kinahan on charges of organised criminal activity, according to law enforcement sources on Saturday.

Authorities said the arrest took place on Wednesday after receiving a judicial file from Irish officials. In a statement released Friday, Dubai police noted they had detained “an Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an organised criminal group involved in international crimes in his home country,” without naming Kinahan. A law enforcement source later confirmed his identity.

Kinahan has long been accused of leading the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, which the United States named in 2022 as one of three major leaders of the network. At that time, Washington offered a $5 million reward for their capture. The U.S. Treasury compared the gang’s drug trafficking operations to some of the world’s most notorious crime networks, highlighting Dubai’s role as a hub for its alleged illicit activities.

The Irish Times reported that the charges against Kinahan are linked to a gangland feud in Ireland. His lawyer previously told the BBC in 2021 that Kinahan had no criminal record or convictions and denied allegations of being a crime boss. Reuters said it was unable to reach his representatives for comment following the arrest.

Kinahan’s detention marks a significant development in international efforts to dismantle organized crime networks with global reach. The case underscores growing cooperation between Irish authorities, U.S. agencies, and law enforcement in the United Arab Emirates.