Searches in Ireland and Spain are aimed at a criminal gang

According to Gardaí (Irish Police), several searches were carried out in the Republic of Ireland and Spain as part of an investigation into transnational organized crime.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has ​​reported that the investigation relates to the activities of the Hutch organized crime group.

The group is suspected to be involved in money laundering in multiple jurisdictions.

A property in Dublin was searched at the request of Spanish authorities.

Ten searches were carried out in Spain, with gardaí there supporting the Guardia Civil (Spanish police).

A Civil Guard officer is present during the search in Dublin.

The operation is part of a link-up between the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and the Guardia Civil in Spain, targeting a group based in both countries.

A previous search against the same group was carried out by the Guardia Civil on behalf of GNBCI in Lanzarote in June 2022.

The Guardia Civil told RTÉ that the investigation was ongoing and it could not provide any further information due to a “secrecy order” in Spain.

The Hutch organized crime group is a violent, transnational drug trafficking gang based in Dublin.

The group has been embroiled in a nine-year feud with organized crime group Kinahan that has left 18 people dead.