An Irish man accused of assisting in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Merseyside twins remains in custody, with a number of suspects released and deported. Brothers Jamie and Aaron Small were allegedly targeted in a cross-border plot which saw an advert shared by someone using the name "Sponge Jobb" on encrypted messaging service Signal.
The advert stated a hitman was needed to carry out a job in the European Union in exchange for $60,000 worth of cryptocurrency. The advert received a response from a Danish police officer posing as a would-be hitman, which prompted an international criminal investigation.
Arrests in Cyprus
The Smalls visited Cyprus at the end of last month on holiday and to take part in mixed martial arts events. Eight people from three countries were arrested on the Mediterranean island as part of the undercover investigation, with prosecutors alleging senior criminals closely linked to the Kinahan Cartel were attempting to organise their murders.
Among those arrested was a 33-year-old Irish man from Limerick who was detained at the same time as two Norwegian men. Following their arrests, a second five-man team from Sweden arrived on the island, police said last week. They were also arrested.
Suspects released and deported
The Irish Times reported this week that all but two of the eight arrested suspects have been released and immediately deported. Only the Irish suspect and one of the Norwegian men remain in custody. They are due to appear in court again this week.
The Irish man has denied any involvement in the alleged plot and told police he was in Cyprus on holiday. He has not been charged with any offence at this time. Police allege the Irish man was responsible for dropping off money for the purported hitman outside a laundrette in Ayia Napa. He is being investigated on charges of conspiracy to murder and membership of a criminal organisation.
Investigation details
The ECHO previously reported that police arrested the Irish man and the two Norwegians on August 27. Police alleged the arrests brought the plot to a halt, but information was then shared from Swedish authorities that a suspected hitman from Sweden arrived in Cyprus.
Alongside another Swedish national, the pair were put under surveillance before they were arrested along with three other men, also from Sweden. It has previously been reported that a subsequent search turned up a pistol, medical marks and disposable gloves. It has also been reported how the undercover Danish officer was sent photographs of the brothers as well as given information about a gun and ammunition allegedly sourced from Turkey.
The ECHO named the alleged targets as the Small brothers last week. They have both gone missing, with authorities trying to locate them. Cypriot authorities have been in touch with Merseyside Police, although the pair are believed to have left the island.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "The investigation sits with law enforcement in Cyprus. We are in contact with them to offer any support we can due to links with individuals from Merseyside." The Smalls are from the north end of Liverpool, previously giving a court address in Vauxhall.
