Kinahan Gang Leader Sentenced to 21 Years in UK

The leader of the Kinahan gang's UK operations has been sentenced to 21 years in prison.

Thomas Kavanagh, a 54-year-old Dubliner who ran the Kinahan's UK operations from his home in Tamworth, was sentenced this morning for drug trafficking and money laundering.

Along with Kavanagh, two other Kinahan gang members were also sentenced. 43-year-old Daniel Canning received 19 and a half years while 39-year-old Gary Vickery was sentenced to 20 years.

Large quantities of cocaine and cannabis were smuggled into the UK by the gang using the cover of industrial machinery. This ruse was used 23 times.

Judge Martyn Levett said all three men were leading players in the Kinahan group, which had "gained vast profits" from their operations.

Matt Horne, Deputy Director of the National Crime Agency, said the Kinahan gang felt they were "untouchable" but today's convictions prove "this is not the case."

In Ireland, gardaí called the convictions "a very positive development" which reflects the work put in by international law enforcement authorities in combating organised crime groups.

John O' Driscoll, Assistant Commissioner in charge of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, said the gardaí had developed a "very powerful working relationship" with the UK's National Crime Agency in tackling groups like the Kinahan gang.