Kinahan cartel boss Thomas “Bomber" Kavanagh has had to get a new legal team to represent him – weeks before he is sentenced for a massive cocaine plot in England.
Kavanagh (53), who ran Daniel Kinahan’s operation in Europe until he was caught by UK cops in 2019, appeared in an English court yesterday on charges that could see him locked up for 20 years — but the judge was told his legal team no longer represent him.
That part of the hearing, at Ipswich Crown Court, was held in the judge’s chambers — so it was unclear whether it was his decision or that of his legal team. His case has now been put back to the start of September when it is likely he will learn his fate.
He and two other Irishmen, Gary Vickery (36), who has an address in the UK, and Daniel Canning (41), from Walkinstown, Dublin, are facing long prison sentences after admitting conspiracy to import Class A and Class B drugs.
They pleaded guilty to conspiracy to contravene the Customs and Excise Management Act of 1979 contrary to Section 1.1 of the Criminal Law Act 1977.
The men are alleged to have conspired together along with others to “fraudulently evade the prohibition of the importation of Class A drugs”.
They also pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to “fraudulently evade the prohibition of the importation of Class B drugs, again between June 1, 2015, and October 5, 2017. That charge carries with it a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
Meanwhile, Daniel Canning pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm — a Smith and Wesson 357 Revolver on or before October 3, 2017. He also admitted possession of 85 rounds of .38 ammunition.
Canning had been living in Dublin and flew into London yesterday before being arrested and brought to the hearing.
But Vickery did not attend court — and instead watched proceedings via video link.
The court heard he is in the Canary islands and had to abandon plans to fly to the UK after he came in close contact with a person who has now developed COVID.
The court heard he took a test yesterday and the results are due today. But he has to take another PCR test before he can return.
The case was adjourned until September 3.
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