Drug dealer murdered in Amsterdam was on the run from Irish police, gangs

DutchAmsterdam.nl — An Irish drug dealer whose remains were found in an Amsterdam canal had fled Ireland to avoid imprisonment and to escape gang members who held him responsible for revealing information that led to discovery of their drugs factory.

Amsterdam police found his remains three weeks ago in the water near Diemerzeedijk.

The body of Keith Ennis (30), from Clondalkin, Dublin, had been dismembered and stuffed into bags, suitcases and trash bags.

Police, aided by their Irish colleagues, identified the man with the help of DNA testing, Ennis’s distinctive tattoo on his right forearm, and fingerprints.

Ennis was arrested in Dublin October 2007 during the course of a police investigation into drugs gangs. At the time of his arrest the man was carrying €20,000 in cash. A search of his home also revealed a loaded 9mm Glock handgun as well as cocaine valued at €3,000.

Shortly after Ennis’ arrest police also searched two other homes and a warehouse. At one home they seized €10,000 in cash, along with cocaine and cannabis worth €60,000. At another home and at the warehouse police seized four firearms, ammunition, and nine kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of €500,000. Four man were arrested.

The guns and drugs were traced to several major drugs dealers, one of whom is believed to be living abroad, possibly in Amsterdam.

Gang members reportedly believed Ennis had given police information that lead to the discovery of their drugs factory. Feeling threatened, he went on the run. Police believe he first went the Spain and later moved to Amsterdam.

Ennis’ murder is the latest in a series of killings in Europe involving Irish drug dealers. So far, all of the 11 Dublin gangland murders since the start of 2009 remain unsolved.

British newspaper The Guardian says Dublin’s gangland feuds, violent vendettas and tit-for-tat murders have spread to mainland Europe, Irish security sources warned last night.

They said the killing of a former arms and drugs trafficker, whose body was found in an Amsterdam canal, had been ordered by an Irish gangland boss.