Two men targeted in CAB raids responsible for most of cocaine imported into Ireland over last decade

The men, who have acted as logistics experts for both the Kinahan Cartel and the ‘Mr Big’ drug networks, are currently based in Dubai — where they continue to be involved in ‘multi-tonne’ cocaine shipments.

Officers from the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB) searched a total of 23 properties, including homes, businesses and professional offices across Dublin and Donegal as part of a probe into their suspected operation on Wednesday.

A top-of-the-range 2023 Volvo XC90 — worth more than €80,000 — was seized, while €73,000 in a bank account was also frozen.

CAB is targeting a luxury home in north Donegal, which is estimated to be worth over €1million. The property is reportedly expensively fitted out in marble, with en-suite rooms throughout.

Investigators believe the duo were responsible for landing a large percentage of cocaine into Ireland over the past eight years and had been operating under the radar while posing as legitimate businessmen.

However, intelligence gathered by specialist gardaí uncovered their operation, which offered logistics expertise to major dealers flying, shipping and transporting cocaine into the country.

They have been described as ‘top-level’ logistics specialists for drugs gangs in Ireland who can ‘facilitate and enhance’ the drugs supply routes by air, sea or land.

It is believed they offer their services smuggling ‘multi-tonne maritime loads’ of cocaine from anywhere in world to a destination chosen by drugs gangs.

The friends only shot to prominence in the criminal underworld in the aftermath of the Regency Hotel shootings, when they saw an opportunity to keep supply routes open when pressure was being put on traditional cell groups being used by the Kinahan operation.

Within a short space of time they amassed incredible wealth and made their way to the United Arab Emirates, where they continue to organise transport by private aircraft and ships as well as routes through the UK into Scotland and across to Northern Ireland.

One of the men is from the north west of the country and previously came before the courts more than a decade ago for a serious crime.

He recently opened a business near the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai — one of the world’s most expensive real estate locations.

His business partner is from the northside of Dublin and does not have an extensive criminal history.

Despite being a target for specialist garda units, the men have no public profile as criminals and have stayed under the radar for years.

The two forged their usefulness to both the Kinahan and the Mr Big networks, which have been coming under increasing pressure over the past decade as gardaí attempt to dismantle the groupings.

It is believed they have played a key role in the expansion of the drugs network controlled by a crime figure known as ‘Mr Big’.

Originally from north Dublin, ‘Mr Big’ is regarded as one of the country’s biggest drug traffickers and is suspected of ordering the murders of RIRA boss Alan Ryan and gang enforcer Robbie Lawlor.

During this week’s searches by CAB a number of electronic devices were seized and will be subject to forensic examination.

A range of financial documentation was taken away, with a focus on movements of money, including the finances behind the purchase of the Donegal property.

The investigation was launched after CAB received a series of ‘good citizen’ reports — where people report unexplained wealth — about the luxury home in Donegal.

Divisional Asset Profilers in Donegal also began working on the case, building up a profile of the man who owned the house.

Over 70 officers from CAB, along with gardaí attached to the Milford District, the Donegal Division, the Regional Armed Support Unit, Garda Dog Unit and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, began a series of searches in Dublin and Donegal at 6am.

CAB brought a quantity surveyor with them to assess the value of the house in Donegal and the quantity and value of the materials put into it.

The house of an associate in Dublin was also searched, along with financial and legal offices, solicitors and accountants and service providers such as builders’ yards.

A large amount of financial documentation was seized along with electronic devices, mobile phones and laptops which will be forensically examined as part of the CAB assets inquiry.

CAB estimates it has so far identified over €1 million worth of assets linked to the drug dealer and his family.

In a statement, gardaí said: “Today’s searches relate to an ongoing investigation into the assets of persons suspected of being involved in drug trafficking on an international level.

“The search operation was conducted as part of an ongoing proceeds of crime investigation targeting assets, including real estate, deriving in whole or in part from the proceeds of criminal activity.”