Mob Boss Laundered Millions of Dollars Through Vodka Brand
Pictured L-R: Michelle Keegan, John Morrissey and Nicola Morrissey promoting Nero Vodka at an event (Photo: Nero Premium Vodka/Facebook)
Nero Vodka, part of the Glasgow-based firm Nero Drinks, was allegedly used to launder millions of dollars in international drug money by a mob boss from the notorious Irish Kinahan Organised Crime Group.
On Sept. 13, a key member of Kinahan Cartel, 62-year-old John Morrissey, and his wife 46-year-old Nicola Morrissey, who run Nero Drinks, were both arrested in Spain. The raid involved a coordinated effort by several international law enforcement agencies including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Spanish Guardia Civil.
According to Murcia Today, U.S. authorities said “John Morrissey has worked for the Kinahan Organised Crime Group for several years, including as an enforcer, and facilitate international drug shipments for the organization from South America.”
The Scottish Sun indicated the Spanish police believe John Morrissey, referred to as ‘Johnny Cash’, has been able to launder €200million (about $192million) in just the past 18 months.
In April of this year, the U.S. Government placed sanctions on the Kinahan group and Morrissey’s name was included in these sanctions.
The Irish Mirror reported the sanctions mentioned, “John Morrissey, who outwardly serves as the Nero Drinks’ brand ambassador, is heavily invested in Nero Drinks and has given a significant portion of the business to Daniel Kinahan to compensate for loads of drugs seized by law enforcement.” Daniel Kinahan is the head of the Kinahan Organised Crime Group. Furthermore, “John Morrissey controls and operates Nero Drinks through his wife [Nicola], the primary shareholder, who is used as a front person for his interests.”
Nicola Morrissey, who was also arrested on the 13th, was released from custody on Sept. 15 pending further investigation.
As Nero’s brand ambassador, John Morrissey has been able to convince several celebrities to endorse or at least take photos with Nero Vodka. Some of these include Will Mellor from Hollyoaks, who was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing (the U.K. version of Dancing with the Stars). Mellor even promoted Nero on his social media according to the Scottish Sun’s investigation.
It does not appear that the individuals who posed with Nero Vodka had any idea of its links to organized crime.
John Morrissey is currently being held in jail in Malaga and according to Spanish law, he can be jailed for up to four years without charge.
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