A close associate of Gerry ‘The Monk’ Hutch was the target of the joint police operation in Lanzarote today, Independent.ie can reveal.
Specialized Gardaí is known to have worked with Spanish detectives on an investigation into illegal travel documents.
The investigation has been going on for several months.
There were no arrests after today’s searches, but a number of electronic devices were seized for investigation.
The Lanzarote property that is today the target of the joint operation is not where ‘The Monk’ had lived for years before the Hutch/Kinahan feud broke out.
However, it has been used by his closest junior associate.
Hutch (59) is in custody charged with the murder of Kinahan mobster David Byrne at the Regency Hotel in 2016. His lawyers last week filed a motion asking the Special Criminal Court to drop the murder charges because there are no sufficient charges. evidence to try him.
In a statement released tonight, a Garda spokesperson said: “This morning, as a result of an ongoing intelligence operation by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, a team of Irish detectives searched the home of an Irish citizen living in Lanzarote, Spain, who is suspected of involvement in an organized crime gang based in Spain.
“Today’s operation in Spain reflects An Garda Síochána’s continued commitment to tackle international organized crime gangs in conjunction with European partner services.”
They added that the investigation is ongoing.