What’s next for the Kinahan cartel?
The crime gang have hit the headlines once again after the BBC broadcast Kinahan: The True Story of Ireland's Mafia series about the family.
On The Pat Kenny Show, crime journalist Nicola Tallant said the series is a comprehensive history of the family, as the mainly British viewers know little about them.
“It brings us back to Dublin, to an ambitious young middle class guy with a lot of opportunities who watches Larry Dunne’s demise and moves in to try and take over his role as the main heroin supplier,” she said.
Now one of the biggest super cartels in the world, the Kinahans are widely understood to be hiding out in Dubai.
The US Government has put a multimillion dollar price on their heads and the Irish Government has negotiated an extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates.
Overall, Ms Tallant said the family has “a few big problems really”.
“They’ve got the Americans going after them - which is probably their biggest problem,” she said.
“I would think of all places, they’d nearly welcome coming back to Ireland rather than going to the States.
“Because, if you get convicted there, that’s it - curtains.”
The family might be at liberty at the moment but Ms Tallant believes it is only a matter of time before the net closes in.
“When you’re on those posters, you really are properly wanted,” she said.
“They have their freedoms still but how much longer for? They certainly aren’t looking into the future of a nice retirement.
“They will be pursued; even if the Emirates continue to drag their heels, as they have been with handing them back.”
If UAE authorities move to extradite them, there has been speculation the family could flee to Iran or Russia.
Overall, Ms Tallant said they only have “very unwelcoming territories” places left to flee to.
“But they’re not really going to be able to live that same lifestyle and you do wonder how long they can stay,” she said.
“They still have family here, they still have friends - it’s still their home.
“To be completely denied ever coming back or ever walking your own land again, it must be strange.
“But I suppose you need the personality in the first place to go into drug trafficking.”
Anyone with information for the US authorities about the Kinahans can contact them on TheKinahanTCO_Tips@dea.gov
Main image: Kinahan.
