The World Today - Irish Godfather arrested in European sting 26/05/2010

09:03 El NACHO 0 Comments

The World Today - Irish Godfather arrested in European sting 26/05/2010: "European officials arrested Cristy Kinahan at his coastal mansion in Spain overnight and charged him with running a drug-dealing, gun-running and money laundering syndicate.

In a series of coordinated raids across six countries, 32 people, including Kinahan's two sons, were also arrested, as Michael Vincent reports.

MICHAEL VINCENT: For years the Costa del Sol in Spain has been attractive to English and Irish citizens. But the relaxed Mediterraneanseaside location has also been dubbed the 'Costa cel Crime' for all the underworld figures who like to spend time relaxing in the sun and laundering their money.

Cristy Kinahan's time in the sun ended this morning when authorities raiding his 10-million pound mansion. His sons Cristy Junior and Daniel were also arrested at the home.

Garda commissioner Fachtna Murphy.

FACHTNA MURPHY: People go after the sun or hide in the sun or hide in some foreign clime and go and see, think that the borders can help them to conceal their ill gotten gains and traffic in illicit drugs but there is no hiding place.

MICHAEL VINCENT: Irish police say 53-year-old Kinahan has never held a job, although he has served time for drug-dealing and financial crimes before.

Today he's been accused of running a drug syndicate which initially imported cocaine to Ireland. But then he's alleged to have changed to importing marijuana, the theory being that it would be less risky due to less public outcry or police attention."