Kinahan Cartel movements exposed through fitness app tracking

An investigation has revealed that a running app called Strava was used to track the movements of the Kinahan cartel. The findings come from Bellingcat and The Sunday Times, which uncovered a profile linked to Oliver Hermann, a close associate of cartel leader Christy Kinahan. Hermann, a 44-year-old German businessman, visited Dublin multiple times between 2016 and 2019. His runs were often recorded in locations tied to activities of the Kinahan cartel. For example, he logged a run in South Africa near a hotel that Kinahan reviewed online. The investigation showed that Hermann's running activities matched Kinahan's whereabouts, including a run in Dublin shortly before Kinahan attended a conference. Hermann posted numerous recordings of his runs in Dublin the same year as a notorious shooting linked to the cartel. From 2018 to 2022, Hermann frequently ran in Zimbabwe, where Kinahan also reviewed several places. Hermann's digital records indicate he has traveled to various countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Italy, and Dubai, often near businesses associated with Daniel Kinahan. In May 2022, Hermann stopped posting on Strava but made one entry in January 2023. Later, in December 2024, he was arrested in Australia on drug trafficking charges. Police found 200kg of cocaine, along with equipment in his hotel room. The case is ongoing, with Hermann and another man due in court in May.