Two men, aged 42 and 22, have been arrested in Spain and are regarded by the British National Crime Agency as members of the Irish crime clan Kinahan . Both were wanted for firearms trafficking.
Liam Byrne, 42, from Dublin, considered one of the most trusted members of organized crime group Kinahan, was arrested in Mallorca on Sunday night while eating with family members at a restaurant. He had flown from Dubai to Palma airport on 26 May.
Another member of the Kinahan clan, Jack Kavanagh, 22, from Tamworth, Staffordshire, was arrested by Spanish National Police officers at Malaga airport on Tuesday 30 May while in transit from Dubai to Turkey.
The arrests follow an NCA-led intelligence investigation, supported by the Spanish National Police and the Irish Police. During the investigation, evidence was collected from decrypted EncroChat messages. It would appear that the two were involved in the supply and sale of firearms.
They are currently in detention while extradition proceedings are underway.