Irish drugs gangs a top target for police in Costa del Sol as Dublin criminal arrested after restaurant gun attack

One of Marbella’s popular beaches where holidaymakers are likely to see more police this summer.

Police in Marbella are going to war against narco gangs, including the Irish, after a spate of shootings in the past two months.

Millions are to be spent in ensuring the streets of the Costa del Sol city – the number one destination for Irish holidaymakers – are safe this summer.

One top Dublin criminal with links to an organised crime gang was arrested recently following an attack on a top restaurant La Sala in Puerto Banus, a popular haunt for Irish tourists.

READ MORE – Irishman arrested over shooting at glam Costa Del Sol restaurant frequented by A-listers

Up to 15 shots were fired in the posh bar and eatery and miraculously no one was hurt. The suspect and another man were tracked down to a house after the gunman and an accomplice fled the scene on a motorbike. The Irish suspect is known to the Gardai. Spanish detectives are still trying to establish a motive for the shooting.

Now extra police from all over southern Spain are to be drafted into Marbella immediately until the end of the traditional holiday season in October with a greater police presence and increased patrols.

The additional officers will also include units with police dogs and aerial resources such as helicopters and light airplanes.

The Spanish National police, as they are known, will oversee the whole operation in conjunction with the local police in the city.

The National Police said in a statement: “There will be increased controls on vehicles and people with random checks at alternative times and locations to increase the surprise factor.

“There will be extra police where there are crowds of people especially in shopping and leisure areas.

“Our aim is to reduce the impact of common and organised crime on the public and tourism.”

The five most recent shootings occurred openly on the streets sometimes in broad daylight in clashes between rival drug gangs. There was then another gun attack last weekend in which a 33 year-old Albanian was targeted and injured.

Various criminal gangs from around the world including the Irish, British, Moroccans, Albanians and the Russians have been battling to control the drugs business on the Costa del Sol since the ring leaders of the Kinahan cartel, Christy Snr, Daniel and Christy Jnr left Marbella for Dubai several years ago.

But their grip on the city was also damaged following the arrest of their top associate alleged muscleman and money launderer, Johnny Morrissey, 18 months ago.

Millionaire Morrissey was one of the top ex-pat socialites in Marbella and is believed to have laundered over €200 million for the Kinahans via his own brand Nero Vodka.

He is also believed to have helped organize the shipments of drugs for the cartel from South America to Spain.

Morrissey is currently in custody at a high security prison outside Malaga awaiting trial.

One Spanish police source said: “With Morrissey off the streets there seems to be a free for all. Every one of the organised crime gangs here wants a slice of the drug action but we are not going to let any of them take over our town.

“We are determined that tourists have nothing to fear and will be safe in Marbella.”

The Costa del Sol is the number one destination for Irish holidaymakers every summer and Marbella with its fabulous beaches and wonderful nightlife, a firm favourite.

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