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Irish authorities are moving forward with efforts to extradite Sean McGovern, an alleged senior figure in the Kinahan crime cartel, after his recent arrest in Dubai. McGovern, labeled as “one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives,” was apprehended through an Interpol Red Notice, which was issued in coordination with Dubai police and An Garda Síochána, the Irish National Police.
The 38-year-old McGovern is accused of being a high-ranking member of the Kinahan organized crime group, a notorious cartel linked to the Iranian regime and Hezbollah. According to Interpol, McGovern faces charges "including murder and directing an organized crime group."
Currently, McGovern remains in custody in the United Arab Emirates as Irish authorities work through the extradition process. Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock hailed the arrest as the outcome of "the combined efforts of the Irish authorities and the United Arab Emirates."
Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, praised the international cooperation that led to McGovern’s capture. “I have taken a number of steps to support international policing cooperation, including approval for the posting of Garda Liaison Officers overseas. There is excellent cooperation between An Garda Síochána and their counterparts in the United Arab Emirates, and the deployment of a Garda Liaison Officer to Abu Dhabi last year has been key to this,” she said.
McEntee also referenced a recent instance of collaboration between Dubai police and Irish authorities. “Dubai police also travelled to Dublin recently to assist members of An Garda Síochána with a large transnational organised crime investigation arising from the seizure of 2.2 tonnes of cocaine on the MV Matthew off the coast of Waterford.”
In addition to the immediate case, McEntee highlighted ongoing discussions with Emirati officials. “I am intensively engaging with my counterpart, the Emirati Minister of Justice, His Excellency Abdullah Bin Sultan Bin Awad Al Nuaimi, about ongoing co-operation and deepening the relationship between Ireland and the UAE in criminal justice matters. Last year I secured Government approval to open negotiations with the UAE on bilateral treaties on extradition and mutual legal assistance. Good progress is being made.”
She also acknowledged the late John O’Driscoll, the former Assistant Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, for his key role in fostering international policing connections. “I would like to acknowledge the leading role played by former Assistant Commissioner John O’Driscoll in creating and maintaining networks with other police services around the world to tackle transnational organised crime gangs. These networks are now well-established and of vital importance, which is a very fitting legacy to John after his untimely passing recently.”
Garda Commissioner Drew Harris described the Kinahan group as a "murderous gang of drug dealers" and hailed McGovern’s arrest as a "significant development" in the fight against the cartel. Harris further urged other members of the crime organization to cooperate with authorities and turn against their leader, Daniel Kinahan, by drawing attention to the $15 million reward offered by U.S. authorities and the availability of U.S. federal witness protection.
In 2022, the U.S. Department of State announced the reward for information leading to the conviction of Daniel Kinahan, along with his brother Christopher and their father Christy. Since then, Irish police, in partnership with Europol and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, have made strides in dismantling the Kinahan cartel’s operations, including their legitimate business ventures.
Harris also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the late John O’Driscoll, who played an instrumental role in building the international networks that have been essential in bringing the Kinahan cartel to justice before his recent passing.
By fLEXI tEAM
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