Kinahan Cartel Key Member Arrested From Spanish Bolthole For Money Laundering

One of the seven "key members" of the Kinahan cartel was arrested at his bolthole in Costa del Sol, Spain.

Johnny Morrissey, who was placed under sanctions by U.S. authorities earlier this year, was in a Spanish jail on Wednesday night. He was arrested on charges of money laundering for the crime group, The Irish Times reported. He was among seven criminals, including cartel founder Christy Kinahan and his sons Christopher Junior and Daniel, targeted when the the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions in April.

Detectives from six different police forces, including the Spanish Civil Guard, participated in the operation which nabbed Morrissey. The Greater Manchester-raised expat, who was identified by U.S. authorities as a Kinahan enforcer and money launderer, initially smiled after being surrounded by cops and handcuffed. But the bald-headed man's grin turned to a grimace as he was led away. He tried to hide his face when he realized that press photographers were about to get a snap of him, reported Daily Mail.

His wife Nicola is the CEO of a Scotland-based vodka firm that was linked by police to organized crime. She raised her middle finger as she was walked out by Spanish cops.

The couple appeared in court Wednesday after spending two nights in police custody. According to Independent, the court appearance in the holiday resort of Marbella was held behind closed doors, which is normal in Spain. Only trials take place in public in Spain.

Sources said that Nicola had been released after questioning. But as part of the police operation, her husband had been remanded in custody along with a second person.

American authority earlier said that Morrissey was close to cartel leader Daniel Kinahan.

His arrest is the first clear public sign of progress in the international probe into the cartel. It saw most of its senior figures flee Spain seven years ago and shift to Dubai.

While imposing financial sanctions on the seven key members of the Kinahan gang, the U.S. department said that Morrissey has “worked for the (cartel) for several years, including as an enforcer." It also said that he “facilitates international drug shipments for the organization from South America,” and was also “involved in money laundering."