The secret Kinahan property deals in ‘the money laundering capital of the world’

Crime group makes millions selling off its Middle Eastern property empire

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The Kinahans: Christy, Daniel and Christopher jnr
The Kinahans: Christy, Daniel and Christopher jnr

This week, an international investigation revealed members of the Kinahan family have been disposing of millions of euro worth of property in Dubai.

Irish Times crime and security correspondent, Conor Gallagher, has been looking into the activities of the cartel as they come under increasing pressure from international sanctions, from their base in the city dubbed ‘the money laundering capital of the world.’

Christopher Kinahan and his sons Daniel and Christopher jnr, who form the leadership of the international drugs gang, relocated most of their operations to the United Arab Emirates city in the mid-2010s as the Hutch-Kinahan feud became increasingly violent.

An analysis of leaked property records shows family members acquired at least six properties in Dubai over the following years, most of which were purchased in the name of Daniel Kinahan wife, Caoimhe Robinson.

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However, since the announcement of sanctions targeting the gang by the US government in 2022, large parts of this property empire have been sold off, netting the family significant profits, according to leaked records from the Dubai Unlocked investigation.

What do we know about the Kinahan’s luxury properties in Dubai and what options are left for the family now, if they want to move their wealth elsewhere overseas?

And, could international sanctions be extended to prevent Kinahan family members from buying up more property?

Today, on In The News, how did the Kinahans make millions on property deals in Dubai?

Presented by Sorcha Pollak. Produced by Aideen Finnegan.

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak

Sorcha Pollak is an Irish Times reporter specialising in immigration issues and cohost of the In the News podcast