Former Rochdale bouncer who 'laundered money for major cartel' released after paying over £50k in bail
07.06.2024 - 18:09
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A former Rochdale doorman identified as a key member of the Kinahan crime cartel by US authorities has been released from a Spanish prison after paying tens of thousands of pounds to get bail.
Alleged gangster Johnny Morrissey had to swap millionaire mansions and meet and greets with celebs for a tiny jail cell after being arrested in a dawn raid alongside his Scots-born wife in September 2022.
The Spanish Civil Guard, which led the operation against him through its elite UCO unit with support from other police forces including the Garda and National Crime Agency, said at the time they believed he had allegedly helped crime gangs launder up to 350,000 Euros (£297,000) a day over the 18 months their investigation lasted.
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Wife Nicola, 49, was released on bail days later following a court appearance but her husband remained behind bars until last week. Officials have now confirmed that Morrissey, 63, is back out on the streets after paying a 60,000 Euros (£51,000) bail bond and handing over his passport after agreeing to an international travel ban.
He is continuing to be investigated by a court in Marbella on suspicion of money laundering and membership of a criminal gang, like his wife and a second man who remains behind bars because he has been unable so far to pay his bail bond.
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A spokesman for the investigating magistrate confirmed today: “Morrissey was given the opportunity around a week ago to leave prison on payment of EUROS 60,000 (POUNDS 51,000) bail and he was provisionally released after handing over the money. There are