Daniel Kinahan, once described as the most wanted man in the world, has been arrested in Dubai. His alleged criminal empire, built with family members over a decade ago, stretches across Europe and beyond, with a $5 million bounty placed on his head by US Treasury officials for alleged drug trafficking.
The Kinahan's Scottish connections have been pivotal in expanding their operations, estimated to be worth nearly £1 billion. These links date back over a decade, rooted in a violent feud between the Daniel and Lyons crime families in Glasgow.
Scottish Roots and the Lyons Connection
Steven Lyons, head of the Lyons family, moved to Marbella after an attempt on his life in 2006. There, he reportedly connected with the Kinahans, giving the Lyons an edge in their turf war. In return, the Kinahans secured a lucrative drugs distribution network in Scotland.
Further ties were made through Robert Kelbie, an alleged Lyons associate and convicted fraudster from Edinburgh. Kelbie survived three assassination attempts and helped set up a gym in Fuerteventura for MTK Global, a boxing promotion firm linked to the Kinahans.
Nero Drinks and Money Laundering Allegations
US Treasury officials named John Morrissey as a Kinahan enforcer. His wife, Nicola, is sole director of Glasgow-based Nero Drinks, which allegedly served as a front to launder money. The company was banned from trading in the US, and its accounts are overdue, with a motion for striking off filed.
In September 2022, the Morrisseys were arrested near Marbella. Morrissey denies allegations, but Spanish authorities claim he laundered up to £297,000 a day. His detention led to arrests of seven alleged Lyons members in Spain.
Violent Attacks and the Future
The Kinahan operation has been linked to firebomb and machete attacks in Scotland, targeting associates of cocaine baron Mark Richardson. Operation Portaledge resulted in 64 arrests, with attacks allegedly orchestrated by Ross McGill from Dubai.
McGill, a former Union Bears leader, was expelled from Dubai. With Daniel Kinahan arrested and Steven Lyons jailed in Spain, former Scottish crime agency chief Graeme Pearson says it will be interesting to see if their influence persists. An underworld source noted: "With the heads of both families in jail it remains to be seen who will now fill that vacuum and at what cost."
