Kinahan sanctions: Boxing and luxury drinks firms also placed on US list

Four Dublin men and three companies, in the sports and luxury drinks sector, have been placed on a US commercial sanctions list alongside the leaders of the Kinahan cartel; Christy Kinahan Snr, Daniel Kinahan and Christopher Kinahan Jnr.

One of the companies is a boxing management consultancy, which also works in sponsorship, managment and broadcast deals in other sports. Hoopoe Sports, is run by close Kinahan ally Ian Dixon, from Dublin. His personal email address is on the contacts page of the UAE-based company's website. Another company is named as Nero Drinks Company Ltd in Glasgow, London and Mijas (Spain).

The US Department of the Treasury said last night that as a result of the action being taken against the named people and businesses "all property and interests in property of the designated individuals or entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be blocked and reported to" the Office of Foreign Assets Control.

The sanctions imposed by the US also set out the Kinahans' leading roles in their cartel and gives details such as their home addresses and passport numbers, genuine and fake. The release names Daniel Kinahan as the owner of Dubai-based company Ducashew Trading LLC. It is a business consultancy company, which says it offers support and mentorship to companies as well as corporate concierge services.

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The Americans say that company, which has a website for perspective clients to browse and familiarise themselves with the services on offer, is “owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Daniel Kinahan”. They add he “runs Ducashew through various individuals and is involved in its financial and business management”.

Sean McGovern (36), who was wounded in the Kinahan-Hutch feud-related attack at the Regency Hotel, north Dublin, six years ago is described by the Department of the Treasury in the US as "Daniel Kinahan's advisor and closest confidant". It further states that "evidence indicates that all dealings with Daniel Kinahan go through Sean McGovern".

The Dubliner, whose house in Crumlin, Dublin, was serized by the Criminal Assets Bureau in 2020 and who moved to Dubai, has also "managed communications on behalf of Daniel Kinahan, and he sells multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine".

Another of the named Irishmen is Ian Thomas Dixon (32), who is also currently based in Dubai, where the three Kinahans reside. He is described as a key figure working for Daniel Kinahan, taking care of his money.

"Ian Dixon has arranged multiple payments on behalf of Daniel Kinahan, as well as moved bulk currency on behalf of Daniel Kinahan in Ireland and the United Kingdom, ". The US Department of the Treasury said. "Ian Dixon also oversees a fund on behalf of Daniel Kinahan and keeps track of money owed by a narcotics trafficker."

The Americans say that Dixon “owns or controls, directly or indirectly” the Hoopoe Sports company in UAE.

“Ian Dixon is a 49 percent shareholder, and he also receives 80 percent of Hoopoe Sports’ profits. Ian Dixon is the sole manager of Hoopoe Sports and has full executive power over the company,” the US Department of the Treasury says.

Bernard Patrick Clancy (44), a Dubliner with addresses in Dubai and Estepona in Spain, is also on the list of people whom the new restrictions and financial reporting obligations apply to to. He is described as "a key KOCG (Kinahan organised crime group) lieutenant, who, among other duties, is tasked by Daniel Kinahan with providing wages to elements within the KOCG and payments to others."

John ‘Johnny’ Morrissey (62), with an address in Malaga, Spain, is named as having “worked for the KOCG for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitates international drug shipments for the organisation from South America”.

The Americans say Morrissey is also “involved in money laundering”. It is further stated that Morrissey is the owner or controller, either directly or indirectly, of the Scottish-based Nero Drinks Company Ltd, which sells luxury alcoholic drinks.

Morrissey, it is stated, “has given a significant portion of the business to Daniel Kinahan to compensate for loads of drugs seized by law enforcement” and that he, Morrissey, controls the business through his wife who is “the primary shareholder, who is used as a frontperson for his interests”.