The Hutch Organized Crime Gang (HOCG), also known as the Hutch Gang, is a criminal organization with a long history of illegal activities, primarily based in Ireland. Over the years, they have been involved in a range of criminal enterprises, including murders, drug trafficking, armed robberies, and property deals. The gang has operated not only in Ireland but also in Spain and the United Kingdom, amassing assets estimated to be as high as €20 million.[1]
History
The Hutch gang's criminal activities date back several decades, with their involvement in at least nine murders, some of which were linked to disputes and feuds with rival criminal organizations. They have been implicated in significant armed robberies, notably heists during the 1980s that were connected to Gerry Hutch, a prominent figure in the gang. Additionally, the gang is suspected of orchestrating the 2009 heist of the Bank of Ireland branch in central Dublin, resulting in the theft of millions of euros, most of which remains unrecovered.[2]
The gang's involvement in the drug trade is notable, with allegations that they have financed drug gangs in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. This criminal organization has been linked to numerous criminal activities, further complicating the law enforcement efforts to dismantle it.[3]
Relations with the Kinahan Cartel
The Hutch gang's relationship with the Kinahan Cartel, another notorious criminal organization, has been marked by a series of alliances and conflicts. Key members of the Hutch gang were closely associated with the Kinahan Cartel before their relationship soured. The feud between the two organizations has led to a significant number of deaths and violent incidents, making headlines across Ireland and beyond.
Corruption and Garda involvement
Concerns have been raised about corruption within the Garda Síochána (Irish police force) and potential involvement of some officers with the Hutch gang. Investigators suspect that sleeper agents may exist within the police force, adding to the complexity of addressing the criminal organization.
Property portfolio
The Hutch gang is known to have invested their illicit gains in an extensive property portfolio, both in Ireland and abroad. This portfolio includes business premises and even entire apartment blocks, reflecting the financial power they've amassed over the years.
Structure and operations
Detective Superintendent Dave Gallagher of the Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau described the Hutch gang as operating with "close family members" and having a "patriarchal system" based on loyalty and financial gain. Historically, the organization had a fluid structure, with associates and affiliates working together and independently. However, since 2015 and the escalation of their feud with the Kinahan cartel, the gang has seen a "galvanization" of positions within its ranks.
Expansion and assets
The Hutch Organised Crime Group has expanded its operations and amassed considerable wealth, enabling them to acquire a vast portfolio of properties in Ireland, United Kingdom, Spain, Bulgaria, and Turkey. This portfolio includes various business premises and entire apartment blocks.The criminal organization is regarded as a major player in Irish organized crime, and its influence reaches beyond national borders. Its tentacles have spread to Spain, United Kingdom, and beyond, making it a formidable and far-reaching entity.
Use of cryptocurrency for money laundering
Recent reports suggest that the Hutch Gang has adopted cryptocurrencies as a means of money laundering, further expanding their operations into the digital realm. An incident involving a lower-ranked member of the gang came to light, in which this individual was observed depositing funds into a cryptocurrency account on behalf of the Hutch Gang.
As reported by the Irish Independent, the individual, known for minor criminal activities, was captured on CCTV depositing a certain sum of money into a cryptocurrency automated teller machine (ATM) in recent weeks. This development indicates a shift in the gang's approach to handling finances and may signify their embrace of cryptocurrency as a tool for their illicit activities.
Remarkably, this lower-ranking member has been seen in the company of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch, the 60-year-old crime leader, particularly following Gerry's acquittal for the murder of David Byrne, a prominent figure within the Kinahan Cartel. Byrne's murder took place at the Regency Hotel in 2016 and played a pivotal role in the ongoing feud between the Hutch Gang and the Kinahan Cartel.
Ireland has witnessed a growing presence of cryptocurrency ATMs, with around 32 reported to be operational at the beginning of this year. However, it has been noted that more than a dozen of these machines are no longer in service. Significantly, many of the functional ATMs are allegedly being used by not only the Hutch Gang but also the Kinahan Cartel and other criminal groups operating in Ireland, all attempting to leverage cryptocurrencies for money laundering.
A security source has highlighted the attractiveness of cryptocurrency for criminal organizations. Depositing cash into a cryptocurrency ATM account allows individuals to later withdraw funds as cryptocurrency from any location, leaving minimal traceable evidence behind. This modus operandi has been noticed particularly among criminal associates with close ties to the Hutch Gang, even when located abroad, as they access cryptocurrency deposited in cash to accounts in Ireland.
Members
Apart from Gerry Hutch, some known members are:
Gary Hutch - a nephew of Gerry Hutch, his murder on 24 September 2015 sparked the feud with the Kinahans.[4]
Derek Hutch - a brother of Gary Hutch, he was attacked in prison during the feud.[5][6] He was released from prison in July 2021.[7] On 27 March 2022 he was riding his motorcycle and hit a Ukrainian woman on Amiens Street.[8]
Eddie Hutch Snr - a brother of Gerry Hutch, he mostly was involved in fraud and shoplifting.[9] He was shot dead on 8 February 2016 as part of the feud with the Kinahans.[9]