Cartel ‘priority fugitive’ arrested on secret trip to meet family in Majorca

A cartel "priority fugitive" has been nabbed by police while he was on a secret trip to meet family in Majorca.

Senior Kinahan figure Liam Byrne, 42, is wanted in the UK on suspicion of firearms offences.

Spanish police confirmed his arrest and detained him along with another man linked to the Kinahan gang.

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Although Spanish officials did not name the man in their statement, it was confirmed Byrne had been spending time with family in Alcudia, Mallorca, when he was nabbed, Irish Mirror reported.

A spokesperson for Spain's National Police in Majorca said: "National Police officers have arrested in Majorca a dangerous Irish fugitive who is a member of the Kinahan clan and was a priority of the UK’s National Crime Agency, for leading a criminal organisation involved in weapons trafficking in the UK.

"The fugitive led the weapons trafficking organisation which bought pistols and submachine guns to then sell to other organisations.

"Many of the weapons were bought with systems that didn’t leave fingerprints to be able to commit crimes and complicate police work."

They also confirmed Byrne had fled to Dubai after an NCA investigation found enough evidence against him.

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Spain's National Police say Byrne had continued "enjoying a luxury lifestyle" and was "leading the organisation from a distance" after several of his gang members were arrested for "drugs trafficking".

A hideout with "several handguns, submachine guns and a large amount of ammunition" was allegedly found at the time Byrne fled the country.

The UK's National Crime Agency confirmed Byrne, from Dublin, was a "trusted member" of the Kinahan crime group.

A statement from Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly added: "The arrest of Liam Byrne is a particularly significant development in the efforts of international law enforcement to dismantle the operations of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group."

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