Searches in Ireland and Spain targeting crime gang

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, An officer from the Spanish police is in attendance at the search in Dublin

A number of searches have been carried out in the Republic of Ireland and Spain as part of an investigation into transnational organised crime, garda铆 (Irish police) have said.

Irish broadcaster RT脡 has reported the investigation is into the activities of the Hutch organised crime group.

The group is suspected to be involved in money laundering across a number of jurisdictions.

A property in Dublin was searched following a request from the Spanish authorities.

Ten searches were conducted in Spain, with garda铆 there to support the Guardia Civil (Spanish police).

An officer from the Guardia Civil is in attendance at the search in Dublin.

The operation is part of a liaison between the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI) and Guardia Civil in Spain, which targets a group located in both countries.

A previous search targeting the same group was conducted in Lanzarote in June 2022 by Guardia Civil on behalf of GNBCI.

The Guardia Civil told RT脡 the investigation is ongoing and they are unable to give further information due to a "secrecy order" in Spain.

The Hutch organised crime group is a violent, transnational drug-dealing gang based in Dublin.

The group has been involved in a feud with the Kinahan organised crime group for the past nine years that has claimed 18 lives.