Senior police officers from Dubai have arrived in Dublin as part of a transnational investigation into the Kinahan organised crime group.
The delegation met Garda Commissioner Drew Harris this morning and is liaising with officers from the Garda Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau.
The delegation is made up of three senior Dubai police officers, a major, a captain and a lieutenant.
They are in Ireland to cooperate and provide assistance to gardaí in the investigation into the activities of the Kinahan organised crime group, which is based in Dubai.
The investigation is examining financial links between the Kinahan's and the largest shipment of cocaine seized from the MV Mathew last month.
The leadership of the Kinahan gang has been sanctioned by the US authorities, who are offering $5m for information leading to the convictions of Christy Snr, Christopher Jr and Daniel Kinahan.
The arrival of the delegation in Ireland follows a visit last month by Mr Harris to Dubai.
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Today, Commissioner Harris said that police in Dubai have already provided gardaí "with great assistance with their "ongoing investigations into transnational organised crime and the support from this delegation will further advance that co-operation".
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said they are working to build positive coalitions to tackle transnational crime and ensure international borders are not barriers to effective criminal justice cooperation.
The transfer of sentenced prisoners and the ongoing cooperation between gardaí and Dubai police was also discussed.
Speaking afterwards, Minister McEntee said tackling organised crime is a key priority for Government and is central to building safer, stronger communities.
She said: "Crime is a global enterprise for many organised crime gangs and some individuals cross borders in an attempt to evade justice.
"We are working to build upon the positive coalitions built by An Garda Síochána to tackle transnational crime, and are determined that borders will not be barriers to effective criminal justice co-operation."
