By PA News Agency
Gerry “The Monk” Hutch, aged 61, has been arrested by Spanish police in connection with an international money laundering investigation. Hutch, along with several relatives, is currently being interrogated by authorities.
The arrest follows a series of coordinated searches conducted in both Ireland and Spain aimed at tackling transnational organized crime. Irish police report that a crime gang is suspected of laundering money across various jurisdictions.
On Wednesday morning, ten searches were carried out in Spain, with support from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (GNBCI). Notably, an officer from the Guardia Civil participated in a search of a residential property in Dublin, following a request from Spanish authorities.
Irish police chief Drew Harris highlighted the collaborative efforts between Irish and Spanish police, stating, “There’s a judicial process ongoing with the Spanish authorities, so I cannot comment on the specifics… But we’ve been engaged with Guardia Civil for over two years, sharing information and evidence.”
Harris indicated that the criminal group involved is well-known and has been the subject of a thorough investigation. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing organized crime.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee remarked on the significance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies, stressing that crime transcends borders. She recently visited the UAE to strengthen treaties aimed at enhancing cooperation in fighting organized crime.
