The leader of the Kinahan cartel’s operations in Spain, described as the group’s ‘ringleader,’ and several associates have been arrested on the Costa del Sol within the last two weeks. The arrests are connected to the disappearance and suspected murder of the brother of a former Irish football star.
The man classified as the ‘ringleader,’ a Dublin native in his late 50s, along with a suspected hitman and three others, are currently in custody. This action follows an intensified investigation by the region’s Drugs and Organised Crime Unit into the disappearance of an Irishman, who was reported missing in June.
Senior Spanish officials indicated that the primary theory is that the missing man, in his late 30s, is deceased, although no remains have been found yet. Specialist detectives have conducted searches in a remote area near Estepona for evidence or a body.
This significant investigation, involving the National Police and the Costa Del Sol Drugs and Organised Crime Unit, is also examining the five arrested men for other criminal activities, including large-scale drug trafficking and possession of military-grade weapons. A source stated that the investigation has two prongs: the criminal activities of the group and the disappearance of the man.
The missing individual, originally from Dublin’s north inner city, had been living in Marbella for several years. His older brother previously played international football for Ireland and for clubs in England.
Authorities suspect the missing man was taken to a property in Estepona and held against his will, which is the last known location traced by Spanish police. The arrests, which included the ringleader, a suspected hitman, his close friend in his late 20s, and two other Irish individuals, were carried out on Tuesday, October 27. The cartel leader is known to be a close associate of senior cartel figures Christopher Kinahan Jnr and Liam Byrne.
