Boasting glittering shopping malls, generous tax breaks and miles of sandy beaches, it's a Middle Eastern hotspot developed to lure high-spending visitors.
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While this may seem like a description of Dubai, it similarly applies to Kish Island - the Iranian territory being promoted as a possible new base for the Kinahan cartel.

The Irish mobsters moved to Dubai in the mid-2010s, taking benefit of the lack of an extradition agreement between the United Arab Emirates and the EU.

They are now thought to be planning a move after their supposed senior associate, Sean McGovern, became the first person to be extradited from the UAE to Ireland after a treaty was finally validated.

Considered one of the world's most effective organised criminal offense gangs, the Kinahans are believed to have comprehensive connections with terrorist groups and rogue routines in the Middle East, including Iran and its customer militia, Hezbollah.

Given it is part of Iran, transferring to Kish Island would put the gang under the security of the Islamic Republic, which declines to comply with Western authorities.

But, unlike the rigorous sharia routine imposed on the mainland, Kish's status as a free-trade zone indicates it has actually more unwinded guidelines in addition to a prospering hospitality scene.

Nevertheless, this is hedonism with an Iranian twist - offered alcohol is still restricted, and women can only wear swimsuits on one female-only beach surrounded by 10ft-high walls.

Kish Island is an Iranian tax haven that's being promoted as a potential brand-new base for the Kinahan cartel

A yellow cars seen parked by a pavement lined with palm trees on Kish Island

Christy Kinahan started the Kinahan Cartel as a drug-dealing ring in Dublin in the 1990s and has actually broadened it into a global empire. Son Daniel (ideal) is believed to run its day-to-day operations

Sean McGovern, supposedly a senior Kinahan cartel member, was extradited to Ireland last week

Dubai has long served as a sanctuary for the Kinahans, with the Dublin-born gang running their worldwide drug-smuggling, arms-running, extortion and money laundering empire from the city with the indirect assistance of its ruling elite.

Founded by Christopher Kinahan, known as Christy, the cartel's day-to-day operations are now believed to be in the hands of his kid, Daniel, who famously wed his better half Caoimhe Robinson during a lavish event at Dubai's ₤ 1,000-a-night Burj Al Arab hotel.

Much of their money remains in residential or commercial property, with records suggesting Ms Robinson has actually defied worldwide sanctions to offer a significant amount of Dubai property, including a ₤ 4.3 million estate and a ₤ 10million luxury villa ignoring a golf course.

The Kinahans have actually also been able to purchase cryptocurrency, the gold trade - for which Dubai is an international centre - and have an estimated EUR1.5 billion (₤ 1.26 bn) in offshore bank accounts.

But their cosy setup was rocked by Sean McGovern's extradition last week, with the 39-year-old taken to Dublin by means of military airplane and charged with murder and other serious offenses.

He is accused of being among the most senior members of the Kinahan cartel and is wanted over the murder of Noel Kirwan, an innocent guy who was shot in Dublin in 2016 amidst a fight between the Kinahan and Hutch criminal activity households.

And with Ireland's director of public prosecutions now considering whether to bring similar charges versus Christy and Daniel Kinahan, the pair will be wondering if they might be next.

Europe's intelligence services believe McGovern's extradition will likely trigger the Kinahans to move to another jurisdiction where they will be spared the hazard of extradition, according to The Times.

Kish's status as a free-trade zone implies it has actually more unwinded rules along with a growing hospitality scene

The island has a warm, damp climate and miles of sandy beaches

Kish has a lot of cafes and restaurants. Christy Kinahan is seen here dining with his son Christopher Jnr at Cycle Bistro in Dubai - among the dining establishments he has actually reviewed on Google

The Kinahans will discover lots of places to eat in restaurants on Kish, with the finest reviewed restaurant on TripAdvisor, the Koohe Noor, referred to as offering a 'unique cave-inspired atmosphere'

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Alongside Kish Island, other possible destinations include Russia or a country in Central Asia.

Kish has long been touted as a duty-free shopping and entertainment center, with many shopping centers and high-end resort hotels together with white sandy beaches, coral reefs and ancient websites.

Fort Kinahan on Millionaire's Row: How cartel employer developed Spanish vacation home like a fortress

The island's capacity was first identified by the last Shah of Iran, who ordered the building of a casino there in the 1970s, and for a time it was even served by direct Concorde flights from Paris.

It was as soon as the 4th most-visited vacation location in Southwest Asia after Dubai, the UAE and Sharm el-Sheikh. In 2010, it was ranked among the world's 10 most stunning islands by The New York Times.

The Foreign Office presently advises versus all travel to Iran, but one site previously gone to by tourists was the 'underground' city of Kariz-e-Kish, a labyrinth of walled passages and clear openings stretching more than 5 miles.

Another traveler destination is the wreck of the Koula F, a Scottish-built steamship that ran aground in 1966.

While Iran's increasing isolation has long driven Western travelers away, it still draws in Iranians and a smattering of Russians. In overall, the which has a population of 40,000 - is stated to invite around one million visitors a year.

Last year, Christy Kinahan was called as the author behind hundreds of Google reviews, a number of which talked about the quality of food and service at restaurants, coffee shops and luxury hotels.

One site on Kish previously checked out by Western travelers was the 'underground' city of Kariz-e-Kish, a labyrinth of walled passages and clear openings extending more than five miles

Another traveler attraction is the wreck of the Koula F, a Scottish-built steamship that ran aground in 1966

An aerial view of Kish Island, showing its distance to mainland Iran

And he will discover plenty of places to eat in restaurants on Kish, with the best evaluated dining establishment on TripAdvisor, the Koohe Noor, explained as offering a 'distinct cave-inspired ambiance' and traditional Persian meals consisting of kebabs, stews, and fresh seafood.

The Kinahans appear to have company connections to Kish too, with the US Drug Enforcement Agency in 2015 naming the island as one of the locations they had actually used to wash cash.

Leaders of Kinahan drugs cartel face being deported from the UAE to Ireland to face murder charges

But even if they do choose they wish to go there, it is far from a considered that they will be able to do so.

In case of Ireland requesting an Interpol red notice for the Kinahans, they run the risk of being instantly apprehended by the Dubai authorities.

And offered the UAE tracks non-citizens utilizing a sophisticated biometric system, consisting of retinal and iris scanning, it is believed to be practically difficult to leave the country using a fake identity.

All foreign residents need to undergo biometric registration to remain in Dubai.

Christy himself shared a Google review of his 2021 check out to the Department of Economic Development in Dubai to restore his residency card.

'Based on my experience whilst visiting this workplace, I rate this check out 5 star,' he published.

The Kinahans have previously taken pleasure in sanctuary in Dubai, with Daniel Kinahan's other half Caoimhe Robinson linked to a slate of residential or commercial property offers considering that 2022. This consists of buying a four-bedroom, 300 sq m home in the Elite Residence skyscraper (third from left) for ₤ 750,000

Daniel Kinahan acquired a workplace in Jumeirah Bay Tower (middle) in 2017, records show. This was later approved and now can not be offered

Caoimhe Robinson, who wed Kinahan during a glitzy event at the ₤ 1,000-a-night Burj Al Arab hotel

McGovern's arrest and extradition is the newest blow to the Kinahans following the successful prosecution of their UK chief, Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh (seen in an NCA interview)

Alleged Kinahan money launderer Johnny Morrissey was apprehended by cops on the Costa del Sol in September 2022 but later on launched

With access to private yachts and private jets, the Kinahans could probably look for to get away via an unauthorised sea or land route, but this would be dangerous.

McGovern's arrest and extradition is the most recent blow to the Kinahans following the successful prosecution of their UK chief, Thomas 'Bomber' Kavanagh.

Neighbours of magnate with 'links to Kinahan Cartel' claim he has actually made their homes 'unsellable'

Kavanagh was initially handed a 21-year jail term in 2022. He was provided another six years in 2024 for amassing a stash of guns before sharing their location with cops in the hope of securing a softer sentence.

Meanwhile, declared Kinahan cash launderer Johnny Morrissey was detained by police on the Costa del Sol in September 2022 and accused by district attorneys of washing over EUR200million of drug money.

But he went on to be freed on EUR60,000 bail after the authorities failed to produce sufficient proof to charge him.

The US State Department provided a $5million bounty for info on Christy Kinahan, Daniel Kinahan or Christy Kinahan Junior.

And with the web now tightening on the family's Dubai bolthole, their future looks far from specific.

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