Daniel Kinahan Arrested in Dubai

Daniel Kinahan, an Irish boxing promoter and suspected crime boss, has been arrested in Dubai by United Arab Emirates authorities on foot of an Irish arrest warrant. The arrest took place on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, following an intensive search and surveillance operation by Dubai police. Kinahan, aged 48, was apprehended within 48 hours of the warrant being issued by the Dubai Public Prosecution based on a judicial file provided by Irish authorities detailing his alleged involvement in an international organised crime network.

An Garda Síochána confirmed they were aware of the arrest of an Irish national and stated that the operation demonstrates the importance of international law enforcement cooperation in tackling transnational organised crime. The Irish police emphasized that the arrest was made in accordance with the bilateral extradition agreement between Ireland and the United Arab Emirates. They noted that the matter remains for the UAE authorities to handle at this time regarding any potential extradition proceedings.

Kinahan has been named by the High Court of Ireland as a senior figure in the Kinahan Organised Crime Group, commonly referred to as the Kinahan Cartel. The Criminal Assets Bureau has stated that he “controlled and managed” the operations of this criminal organisation, which is involved in smuggling drugs and firearms into Ireland, the UK, and mainland Europe. The cartel has also been linked to facilitating international criminal activity across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and South America.

The Kinahan Cartel has been engaged in an ongoing feud with the Hutch Gang since 2015, following the murder of Gary Hutch in Marbella, Spain. As of August 2021, at least 18 people have been killed in this conflict. In October 2022, the head of the An Garda Síochána Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau stated in an affidavit to the Irish High Court that Kinahan had “sanctioned a number of murders” as part of this feud during a CAB court case where properties were ordered seized as proceeds of crime.

In April 2022, the United States government imposed sanctions on Kinahan and other members of his family after identifying them as leaders of the Kinahan organised crime cartel. The US State Department offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest or conviction. Kinahan had also been involved in the world of sport through his now-defunct boxing management company MTK Global, which represented over 100 boxers, including Tyson Fury and Carl Frampton, before its dissolution.

Dubai police stated that the arrest was made after receiving the judicial file from Irish authorities, which outlined Kinahan’s alleged crimes and his role in the international criminal organisation. Based on this documentation, the Dubai Public Prosecution issued the arrest warrant to initiate legal procedures ahead of any potential extradition. The arrest is part of broader efforts by UAE and Irish authorities to combat cross-border criminal networks.