Daniel Kinahan reportedly arrested in the United Arab Emirates

Cartel leader Daniel Kinahan, who was long involved in boxing, was reportedly arrested in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

A statement in Arabic from the Dubai Media Office did not explicitly mention his name, but did confirm that an Irish national with the initials “D.J.K.” (Kinahan’s own initials) had been arrested. Kinahan has been openly living in the emirate of Dubai for a number of years.

A warrant for Kinahan’s arrest had been issued on April 15. According to Dubai Police, he was apprehended within 48 hours of the warrant being issued.

Arrest conducted in accordance with bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and UAE

According to Irish public broadcaster RTÉ, Gardaí (Irish police) is aware of Kinahan’s arrest and that it “remains a matter for the authorities in the United Arab Emirates at this time.” They also said that it was “in accordance with the bilateral agreement on extradition between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates.”

Irish courts had issued a warrant for Kinahan’s arrest in relation to alleged serious organised crime offences. The warrant was then transmitted to authorities in the UAE.

“Dubai Police, in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Interior, arrest an Irish fugitive for his alleged role in an organised criminal group involved in international crimes in his home country,” read Dubai Media Office’s English language statement. “The suspect is apprehended within just 48 hours of the arrest warrant being issued on 15 April, following intensive search, investigation, and close surveillance operations.”

Who is Daniel Kinahan?

Kinahan is the leader of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. The Irish organized crime syndicate was founded in the 1990s by his father, Christopher. In 2022, officials in the United States sanctioned Kinahan and others belonging to the crime group, calling it one of the world’s largest. The group is reportedly involved in drug trafficking and money laundering.

In 2012, Kinahan found MTK Global (formerly MGM) alongside Irish boxer Matthew Macklin. The company managed several fighters and promoted boxing events. In 2016, armed men shot and killed David Byrne, an alleged associate of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, at a weigh-in for a boxing event promoted by MTK Global.

MTK Global distanced themselves from Kinahan in 2017, but he still appeared to be involved in boxing after that. British heavyweight Tyson Fury, who had been managed by the cartel leader, claimed that Kinahan helped broker a two-fight deal with Anthony Joshua in 2020 (those fights ultimately did not happen). MTK Global ceased operations in 2022.