'KINAHAN CARTEL' Thomas Kavanagh charged with drugs and firearms offences by National Crime

ALLEGED Kinahan Cartel member Thomas Kavanagh was today charged with drugs and firearms offences by officers from the National Crime Agency (NCA).

Irish national Kavanagh, 52, of Sutton Road, Mile Oak, Tamworth, (pictured) was arrested as part of an NCA investigation in January 2019.

Kavanagh is alleged to have conspired with others to import class A drugs, class B drugs and firearms over a period of more than two years between June 2015 and October 2017. He also faces an additional charge of money laundering.

He will appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court on Thursday, March 19.

Two other Irish nationals Gary Vickery, 37, from Tamworth, and Daniel Canning, 41, from Walkinstown, Dublin, have already been charged by the NCA in connection with the same conspiracy.

NCA Branch Operations Manager Tudor Thomas said:

“The charges against Thomas Kavanagh are the result of a long-running investigation involving the NCA and our colleagues at An Garda Síochána. Together we are determined to do all we can to tackle organised criminality impacting upon both our countries.

“NCA officers also today executed a warrant at Kavanagh’s property on Sutton Road as part of a parallel financial investigation. Any assets identified will be seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act. As the investigation is ongoing we will not comment further.”