Gerard Hutch, commonly referred to as ‘the Monk’, has been taken into custody amid accusations related to money laundering activities.
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The 61-year-old was among nine individuals presented to a magistrate by Spanish law enforcement in Lanzarote.
While two individuals were denied bail and detained, the remaining seven were granted bail, albeit with conditions.
In this group were individuals connected to Hutch, including a close family member and various legal and business associates.
According to a statement from Spanish officials, “Today, the judicial authority in the Arrecife de Lanzarote district has questioned nine alleged members of an international criminal organization under investigation for suspected money laundering activities tied to a criminal syndicate.”
“The investigating magistrate has ordered provisional incarceration without bail for its two leaders and has set provisional release with charges and precautions for the other seven.”
“The investigation is ongoing and remains classified, with proceedings under confidentiality.”
These nine were apprehended just two days ago during a collaborative investigation led by the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations alongside the Guardia Civil, which serves as the main authority in this matter.
The group faced the court in Arrecife later that evening, with legal proceedings taking longer than expected as each individual has the right to a separate hearing with the judge.
Procedures occurred behind closed doors, barring any media access.
The presiding judge enacted a confidentiality notice regarding the case within Spain.
Notably, Spain operates under an inquisitorial legal framework, placing the judge at the helm of the investigation.
Irish police from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation are actively engaged in Spain, maintaining a strong collaborative relationship with the Guardia Civil, the dominant agency in this investigation.
Evidence Collection
This week, law enforcement conducted a search at Hutch’s residence in Clontarf, gathering electronic devices and documents that will be submitted to Spanish authorities.
This raid was executed following an international request for assistance from Spanish officials.
A Guardia Civil representative was present during the Dublin search, while officers from the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation traveled with Spanish police on operations in Spain.
In total, the Guardia Civil executed ten searches in pursuit of evidence.
The investigation into suspected money laundering orchestrated by the Hutch crime syndicate has been underway for over two years.
It zeroes in on the transfer of substantial funds and property acquisitions scattered across Spain.
Hutch has frequently journeyed between Spain and Ireland since being acquitted last April of the murder of David Byrne, a decision rendered by the Special Criminal Court.
In Lanzarote, he maintains a residence, and a close family member, also due in court shortly, has resided there for no less than two years.
The police inquiry in Spain likely encompasses a national unit of the Guardia Civil from the mainland, who are coordinating efforts with local law enforcement and judicial authorities.
According to the Gardaí, this operation forms part of an ongoing collaboration between their National Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Guardia Civil, targeting a Transnational Organized Crime Syndicate with roots in both Ireland and Spain.
A previous raid on this group took place in Lanzarote back in June 2022, carried out by the Guardia Civil on behalf of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigations.
Due to the existing “secrecy order,” there has been no official comment from the Guardia Civil in Spain.
As court proceedings progress, a spokesperson for the Canary Islands Courts stated this evening that no additional information is available at this moment but more might surface in a couple of hours.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
