United Arab Emirates freeze assets and bank accounts of Kinahan cartel in Dubai

The move announced today, according to the Financial Times, will pile pressure on Christopher ‘The Dapper Don’ Kinahan and his sons Daniel and Christopher jr.

Just last week the US Treasury placed the trio and four other people and three companies on a sanctions list cutting them off from most banking services in the west.

It is the latest blow to the gang, especially Daniel Kinahan ending his hopes of creating a new image for himself as a boxing advisor and deal maker.

Just yesterday the agency he founded MTK Global, which had dozens of fighters on its books, was suddenly shutdown.

The Gulf state is said to be continuing its own investigation into the organised crime group along with authorities within the US, UK, Ireland and the EU.

“The related authorities co-operate carefully on instances involving overseas components, in keeping with the UAE’s worldwide commitments and nationwide authorized framework for combating illicit exercise,” the federal government said.

The asset freeze contains all private and company financial institution accounts, according to the FT report.

At last week’s press conference in Dublin to announce the sanctions US officials said the Kinahans of were using Dubai as “a facilitation hub for its illicit actions”.

Two of the sanctioned businesses, Hoopoe Sports and Ducashew General Trading, are based in Dubai and gave the Palm Jumeirah as Daniel’s address.

The sanctions have thrown the boxing world into chaos this week in the lead-up to the Tyson Fury versus Dilliane Whyte this weekend.

Fury, who previously posted on social media of his friendship with Daniel and who has no involvement in crime, stormed out of a press conference yesterday when questions about their relationship continued.

MTK, thanks to Daniel, is deeply embedded in the sport throughout the world having signed up hundreds of fighters.

It also emerged today police forces carried out a blitz against a major cocaine smuggling operation into European co-ordinated by criminals based in Dubai.

The UAE has come under recent pressure from western governments over its failure to stop money laundering and the Kinahan freeze is part of drive to improve its image.

Criminal gangs have found Dubai and its attractions for the wealthy a comfortable place to live in and do business, creating a haven for gang bosses.