Red Defence in Red Zone

9 October 2008 
Intelligence Online 

An affiliate of Red Defence International, a firm headed by Britain’s Kevin Halligen, the investigative concern Oakley International Group was hired in March, 2008 to help find Madeline McCann, the three-year-old British child who vanished in May, 2007 from a hotel on the Portuguese coast. In late August, the Find Madeline Fund, which bankrolls the search for the child, suddenly cut all links with Oakley International, officially for “inadequate results.”It wasn’t the first time that companies owned by Halligen, who took part in MI 5 operations in Northern Ireland, have encountered problems with their customers.

In September, 2006, Red Defence was retained by the Trafigura trading group after two of its senior executives, Claude Dauphin and Jean-Pierre Valentini, were arrested and clapped behind bars in Ivory Coast. A month previously, the Probo Koala, a ship chartered by Trafigura, had discharged toxic waste in dumps in the port of Abidjan. Red Defence, whose contact with Trafigura was lawyer Marc Aspinall, pulled out all the stops to secure the release of Dauphin and Valentini.

Through the firm WatchWood, Red Defence leased a Falcon business jet from the South African group Aerotrade, headed by Fred Rutte, and kept it on stand-by for months, at great expense. Red Defence additionally approached a private British security concern Oceans Five run by John Nash to ask that it provide commandos to mount an operation to rescue Dauphin and Valentini from Maca prison in Abidjan. The operation, initially planned for mid-January, 2007, was put back on several occasions.

Trafigura, which was negotiating simultaneously with the Ivory Coast authorities for the release of its executives, was worried about the constant postponements and the prohibitive cost of the operation. It finally cut all ties with Red Defence in February, 2007. Shortly afterwards, Dauphin and Valentini were released after the payment of USD 198 million that was destined to cover the cost of a clean-up of waste from Probo Koala.

Subsequently, Trafigura’s lawyer, Aspinall, demanded that sub-contractors hired by Red Defence reimburse some of the money paid to them , threatening legal proceedings. Following that setback, Halligen moved to the United States and founded Oakley Security Services, whose initials OSS evoked those of the Office of Strategic Services, forerunner of the CIA. He re-named the firm Oakley International Group and teamed up with the lobbying concern Patton Boggs run by Thomas Boggs.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Kevin Halligen, Madeleine McCann, Mark Aspinall, MI5, No. Ireland, Oakley Intl, Patton Boggs, Red Defence, Trafigura

Scientific Cops Look Abroad for Work

25 September 2008
Intelligence Online
BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND LOBBYING/FIRMS

Forensic Science Service Ltd., a public firm that makes most of its money working for police forces in the United Kingdom, has retained the services of the American lobbying firm Van Scoyoc Associates to help it land contracts from U.S. federal agencies and police forces in the American states. Although it is government-owned, Forensic Science Service doesn’t enjoy a monopoly in the U.K. and finds itself competing with private groups. As a result, it wants to diversify its sources of revenue by carrying out forensic investigations on behalf of foreign police forces. Forensic Science Service has already made contact with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Van Scoyoc, the company hired by Forensic Science Service to drum up business for it, already has several British customers. In one instance, the firm represented the private security concern ArmorGroup.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008

Ex-cops approached for hunt

11 September 2008
The West Australian

Some of Britain’s most experienced police detectives are being approached to join a team to help find Madeleine McCann. The Find Madeleine Fund has asked for lists of suitable retired or soon-to-retire officers from forces across the country. The fund, which is now being bankrolled by Brian Kennedy, owner of Sale Sharks rugby team, has approached several police forces around the country, including Greater Manchester. Madeleine, 3, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May last year.

Chief Supt Steve Heywood, head of Greater Manchester Police serious crime division, is among those who have been asked to provide a list of officers. Mr Kennedy is said to have already met former Det-Supt Andy Tattersall, who retired from the force last year. Mr Tattersall co-wrote the A To Z Checklist of Murder Investigation, which is used by police forces across the country. He worked on the investigation into the murder of special branch officer Stephen Oake, who was stabbed by terrorist Kamel Bourgass during a raid in 2003, and was involved in the investigation into the murder of British television journalist Jill Dando.

A spokesman for GMP said: “We have given details of some eligible officers or former officers. As far as we are aware, no decision has been made by the fund.” Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said: “Kate and Gerry McCann, the fund and its backers have always sought to employ or use the very best people and resources in the search for Madeleine. “If police expertise is potentially available anywhere, the fund and Gerry and Kate would naturally consider using it.”

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Brian Kennedy, Madeleine McCann, Special Forces Club

Super cops join search for Maddie

10 September 2008
Daily Star
Ohn Mahoney
Ex-police help hunt

A crack team of retired supercops is being hired to help the hunt for Madeleine McCann. Scotland Yard, Cambridgeshire and Greater Manchester (GMP) forces have been approached for lists of former detectives who could bring fresh leads. The elite squad of officers – all retired or close to collecting their pensions – will be recruited by the Find Madeleine Fund and told to re-examine previous evidence. The fund is being bankrolled by leisure tycoon Brian Kennedy, 48, who owns Sale Sharks rugby union club and boasts an estimated £350 million fortune.

One experienced officer he has met is ex-Det Supt Andy Tattersall, who retired from GMP last year. His high profile probes included the 2003 murder of special branch officer Stephen Oake, 40, during an anti-terror raid and the 1999 shooting of Jill Dando, 37. Last month Barry George, 48, was cleared of Dando's murder after a retrial but Tattersall had insisted George's conviction was safe. He also co-wrote a crime manual called The A To Z Checklist of Murder Investigation.

Another ex-Manchester officer believed to figure in the new team is Henri Exton, 57, now a private eye.

Madeleine vanished from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal in May 2007. Her parents Kate and Gerry, both 40, are understood to approve of the new inquiry team. Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry, the fund and its backers have always sought to employ or use the very best people and resources."

Last night a GMP spokesman said: "We have given details of some eligible officers or former officers. As far as we are aware, no decision has been made by the fund."

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Brian Kennedy, Henri Exton, Madeleine McCann, Special Forces Club

Wanted: Our ex-top cops to join hunt for Maddie

9 September 2008
Manchester Evening News

Top former detectives from Greater Manchester Police could be recruited to help find Madeleine McCann. Chief Supt Steve Heywood, head of the force's serious crime division, has been asked to provide a list of retired or about-to-retire officers. Madeleine was snatched while on holiday in Portugal just a few days before her fourth birthday in May last year. The Find Madeleine Fund was set up with help from individual donations and is now being bankrolled by Brian Kennedy, boss of Sale Sharks rugby union club.

It is understood that he is considering the list provided by several police forces. Among the names is former Det Supt Andy Tattersall, who retired last year. The two men have already spoken about the case.

Another former Manchester police officer Henri Exton, 57, is involved in the hunt. He is understood to be a shareholder in private investigations firm Oakley International. It is understood that Mr Kennedy is happy with the work being done by Oakley but Mr Exton is taking a 'back seat' following publicity around the case.

Mr Tattersall co-wrote the A To Z Checklist of Murder Investigation which is used by police forces across the country. He worked on the investigation into the murder of special branch officer Stephen Oake and was involved in the Jill Dando murder case.

Mr Tattersall insisted the conviction of Barry George was safe but it was quashed on appeal. A spokesman for GMP said: "We have given details of some eligible officers or former officers. As far as we are aware, no decision has been made by the fund."

Madeleine was abducted from a holiday flat in Praia da Luz on May 3 while her parents were dining 50 yards away. During the summer, Portuguese police shelved the case and lifted official suspect status on Madeleine's parents, Kate and Gerry, from Leicestershire.

Clarence Mitchell, spokesman for the McCanns, said: "Kate and Gerry McCann, the fund and its backers have always sought to employ or use the very best people and resources in the search for Madeleine. "If police expertise is potentially available anywhere, the fund and Gerry and Kate would naturally considering using it."

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Brian Kennedy, Henri Exton, Kevin Halligen, Madeleine McCann, Oakley Intl, Special Forces Club, Trafigura

McCanns look to ex-cops

9 September 2008 
Wigan Observer

Chief Supt Steve Heywood, head of Greater Manchester's serious crime division - which covers the Wigan area - has been asked to provide a list of retired or about-to-retire officers.Madeleine was snatched while on holiday in Portugal in May last year.The Find Madeleine Fund was set up with help from individual donations and is now being bankrolled by Brian Kennedy, boss of Sale Sharks rugby union club.

It is understood that he is considering the list provided by several police forces. Among the names is former Det Supt Andy Tattersall, who retired last year. The two men have already spoken about the case.Another former GM police officer Henri Exton, 57, is involved in the hunt. He is understood to be a shareholder in private investigations firm Oakley International. A spokesman for GMP said: "We have given details of some eligible officers or former officers.

"Clarence Mitchell, spokes-man for the McCanns, said: "Kate and Gerry McCann, the fund and its backers have always sought to employ or use the very best people and resources in the search for Madeleine. If police expertise is available anywhere, the fund and Gerry and Kate would naturally considering using it."

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Brian Kennedy, Henri Exton, Madeleine McCann, Oakley Intl

Hunt team has its deal 'dropped'

August 26, 2008
Europe Intelligence Wire

A firm of private investigators hired to hunt for Madeleine McCann has reportedly had its GBP 500,000 contract dropped. The US-based Oakley International had been given a six-month contract and was paid from the Find Madeleine Fund.

But this weekend national newspapers reported that its contract will not be renewed at the end of the month.

This follows a review led by double-glazing tycoon Brian Kennedy, who is underwriting the fund's search.

The firm was hired in May, just before the anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance in Praia da Luz, Portugal.

It monitored a Madeleine Hotline number, followed up leads and reviewed CCTV footage of possible sightings.

Mr Kennedy, who owns the Sale Sharks rugby team, reportedly believes the agency's bills - estimated to be more than GBP 80,000 a month - were not justified by its results.

Most of the money spent on the agency came from a GBP 550,000 libel payout from Express Newspapers in March.

About GBP 450,000 remains in the fund.

Oakley International won the contract after an introduction by another company, Red Defence International (RDI).

A spokesman for the McCanns told the Daily Telegraph:

"Kate and Gerry, the fund and their backers have continually sought to employ the best people in the search for Madeleine.

"Red Defence and Oakley International were part of a large number of resources employed in recent months.

"Their contract is continuing for the immediate future and will be reviewed when it ends, as you would expect. We will not comment on the detail of any personnel, financial or operational arrangements."

Lawyers and investigators for the McCanns are still combing through the police files released in Portugal earlier this month after Mr and Mrs McCann were released from their status as official suspects. They are looking for leads they fear police ignored after focusing the investigation on the couple.
   

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Brian Kennedy, Find Madeleine Fund, Kevin Halligen, Madeleine McCann, Oakley Intl, Red Defence, Trafigura

Madeleine fund in chaos as private eyes are axed after draining £500,000

Brian Kennedy

Madeleine fund in chaos as private eyes are axed after draining £500,000
23 August 2008
Mail
Daniel Boffey and Miles Goslett

A team of private investigators working behind the scenes to find Madeleine McCann has been axed after being paid £500,000 from publicly donated funds.

The Find Madeleine Fund quietly engaged the services of a US-based company which was awarded the lucrative six-month contract earlier this year.

The company, Oakley International, which boasts former British security service and FBI contacts, was hired to monitor the Madeleine Hotline, carry out detective work and review CCTV footage of possible sightings of the missing girl around the world.

A source revealed that the company had also spent resources in an attempt to infiltrate a paedophile ring in Belgium.

However, the company's contract will now not be renewed. The Mail on Sunday has learned that double-glazing tycoon Brian Kennedy, who has been underwriting the fund's search for Madeleine, has conducted a review of the agency's work and has become unhappy with the progress it was making.

The deal was abruptly ended following a meeting last week after the fund brought in independent monitors to assess how the money was spent.

The cost of employing the agency - run by a Briton, Kevin Halligen - has drained the Madeleine fund and there is now less than £500,000 left.

The development is likely to dismay the thousands who gave to the appeal, and raise questions about how the fund has been administered.

Mr Kennedy, who owns Sale Sharks rugby club, was said to be 'angry' because he believed Oakley's bills, estimated to be more than £80,000 a month, were too much for the results they achieved.

A source said: 'There is a sense that they were meaning well but hadn't got as far as they should for the money involved.

'Brian Kennedy thought their work was far too pricey and wanted to know where the money was being spent. He wasn't satisfied with their answers and the contract was not renewed.

'Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate, have been kept informed all along and agree with the decision. A lot of people were asking questions about where the money was being spent.'

Oakley International won the contract after an introduction by another company, Red Defence International (RDI), based in Jermyn Street, Central London.

Listed as being involved with both companies was Mr Halligen, 47, a communications expert. He is given as the 'contact name' for Oakley International Group, a company registered in Washington DC as the manufacturer of search and navigation equipment.

The company says it has annual sales of £33,000 and only one employee, who appears to be Mr Halligen.

The address given for the company is 2550 M Street NW Washington, which is the downtown office of Patton Boggs, one of the largest and most powerful law companies in America.

A source at the law firm said last night that the lawyer who represented Mr Halligen was unavailable for comment.

RDI, formed in 2005, bills itself as 'an experienced provider of crisis prevention, management and expertise'. It claims to have a presence in Washington DC and Virginia and representation in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.

However, its latest set of accounts is two months overdue and it faces being fined by HM Revenue & Customs.

Among the main players working on the McCann contract were Mr Halligen and Henri Exton, 57, who headed the Greater Manchester Police undercover unit until 1993. He then worked for the Government before moving into the private sector.

One day after a crisis meeting last week with the Madeleine fund administrators, Mr Halligen resigned as a director of RDI.

Mr Exton, of Bury, Lancashire, has the Queen’s Police Medal and an OBE. During the Seventies and Eighties his work included uncovering organised crime rings and recruiting supergrasses.

He also infiltrated football gangs, at one stage becoming a leader of the Young Guvnors, who followed Manchester City, and was forced to take part in organised incidents to preserve his cover.

Previously, the McCann fund had employed a Spanish detective agency called Metodo 3. However, the fund lost confidence in them, especially after they announced they would find Madeleine by last Christmas.

She had disappeared from the resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007, nine days short of her fourth birthday.

A spokesman for the McCanns said yesterday: 'Kate and Gerry, the fund and their backers have always sought to employ the very best people and resources in the ongoing search for Madeleine.

'Kate and Gerry, via the fund and the backers, continue to employ many such resources and it is true that Red Defence and Oakley were part of those resources.

'I simply will not comment on any personnel, financial or operational details whatsoever.'

No one could be reached for comment at Oakley International or Red Defence International.

Mr Kennedy, estimated to be worth about £250million, became involved after being moved by the plight of the McCanns during the period they were made formal suspects – arguidos – in Madeleine's disappearance. Portuguese prosecutors dropped the couple's arguido status last month.

The 47-year-old made his money in double-glazing and home improvement ventures with companies including Everest windows. His Latium Group business empire has an annual turnover of about £400million.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Brian Kennedy, FBI, Find Madeleine Fund, Fraud, Henri Exton, Kevin Halligen, Madeleine McCann, Money Laundering, Oakley Intl, Patton Boggs, Red Defence

Secret A-Team in hunt for Maddie

14 August 2008
Daily Star
Jerry Lawton

Desperate Kate and Gerry McCann have forked out £500,000 on an "A-Team" of former top spooks to find missing daughter Madeleine.

The couple now have "a global operation" of dozens of retired FBI, CIA and even MI5 agents dedicated to solving the mystery of her disappearance.

The top secret team has been given six months to solve the riddle.

Doctors Kate and Gerry, both 40, have vowed to keep up the search for five-year-old Madeleine after the latest sighting at a Belgian bank was ruled out.

And the couple, from Rothley, Leics, have been reassured their new team of private eyes will follow up every lead around the world.

Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "There is a global operation working for Kate and Gerry.

"They are internationally-based with components in Britain, America, Europe and other countries where sightings have been made."

The new team, appointed three months ago, is half way through a six-month contract.

Mr Mitchell explained: "A sum of £500,000 has been committed to them from the Find Madeleine Fund.

"They have been on board for a few months and are on a six-month contract.

"For security reasons we can't go into detail of the experts involved but it would not be wrong to say some are former military and police personnel with a degree of expertise."

Last night Mr Mitchell revealed there had been several more sightings of Madeleine in Belgium on top of 30 reported in the past week.

He said: "A number of these sightings have been well-meaning and have been looked at but ruled out.

"Kate and Gerry are not getting excited or upset by the reported sightings."

A family source added: "Unfortunately, with all the publicity, there have been some copycat sightings which police are not taking at all seriously."

The couple's Spanish-based detective agency Metodo 3 are still working on an £8,000-a-month retainer.

They are being kept on because of their local knowledge and contacts.

Mr Mitchell explained: "Spain, Portugal and North Africa still remain the most likely places where Madeleine could be.

"However, with recent sightings in Amsterdam and Brussels, we have the power to have investigators out on the ground immediately."

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, CIA, FBI, Fraud, Kevin Halligen, Madeleine McCann, Metodo3, MI5, Money Laundering

British police failed to stop DNA evidence in McCann case from being made public

19th July 2008
Daily Mail

British police officers were yesterday accused of trying to stop DNA information allegedly linked to Kate and Gerry McCann’s hire car from being made public. The claim was made in a Portuguese newspaper after Midlands detectives travelled to Portugal to meet the public prosecutor involved in the investigation into the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine. Under the headline ‘English in Portimao to Protect Secrecy’, the newspaper Correio da Manha claimed two Leicestershire officers tried to stop information – including results of a DNA test on a sample from the McCanns’ Renault Scenic hire car – from being made public.




Last year, the McCanns were the subject of allegations in the Portuguese press over DNA allegedly found in the boot of the car. The couple hired the car almost a month after Madeleine, then aged three, vanished while on a family holiday in the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz. The McCanns, both 40, from Rothley Leicestershire, have always insisted that if such traces were found, there were wholly innocent explanations for it. They deny any involvement in Madeleine’s disappearance.


Some of the forensic testing was done at the Forensic Science Service laboratory in Birmingham for Leicestershire police. Last night, Leicestershire police refused to discuss the details of a meeting between public prosecutor Jose Cunha de Magalhaes e Meneses and the officers. The force confirmed that officers held discussions about how some evidence would be disclosed at the end of the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance, but refused to comment on the newspaper report.

Speculation is mounting that the McCanns will be officially cleared of having anything to do with their daughter’s disappearance. They remain ‘arguidos’- or formal suspects – but it is expected this status will be lifted next week. Portuguese police have already filed a report for prosecutors. It will advise lawyers to bring charges, request further inquiries or close the case.

On Wednesday, Fernando Jose Pinto Monteiro, Portugal’s attorney-general, said: ‘The Maddie Case will have a solution on Monday and you will hear of it.’

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Madeleine McCann

Judge's plea to Maddie abductor: Show mercy

July 8, 2008
Daily Mail
Vanessa Allen

A judge yesterday begged Madeleine McCann's abductor to 'show mercy and come forward'. In an astonishing plea, Mrs Justice Hogg called for an end to Kate and Gerry McCann's 14 months of suffering and said she prayed Madeleine would be found alive soon. The British High Court judge gave the couple fresh hope in the hunt for their missing daughter by ordering British police to hand over a dossier containing the details of 81 potential witnesses. She said Leicestershire Police should pass on information about those who had tried to contact the McCanns in the immediate aftermath of their daughter's disappearance in Portugal days before her fourth birthday.

In an impassioned speech, given as part of her ruling, the judge pleaded with other witnesses to come forward to end the mystery surrounding Madeleine's disappearance on May 3 last year from the Algarve resort of Praia da Luz. She said: 'There is, of course, at least one person who knows what has happened to Madeleine, and where she may be found. I ponder about that person, whether that person has a heart and can understand what it must be like for Madeleine to have been torn and secreted from her parents and siblings whom she loves and felt secure with, and whom no doubt [she] misses and grieves for.

'Whether that person has a conscience or any feeling of guilt, remorse or even cares about the hurt which has been caused to an innocent little girl, whether that person has a faith and belief, and what explanation or justification that person will give to God, I entreat that person, whoever and wherever you may be, to show mercy and compassion and come forward now to tell us where Madeleine is to be found. 'I hope and pray that Madeleine will be found very soon, alive and well.'

Mrs Justice Hogg's plea was made all the more extraordinary by the fact that the McCanns, both 40, remain official suspects in the case. But there is growing confidence that their 'arguido' (suspect) status will be lifted soon, as the Portuguese police investigation is expected to be formally completed within weeks.

The couple, both doctors from Rothley, Leicestershire, central England, did not attend the hearing at the High Court in London as they are on holiday with their twins Sean and Amelie - their first holiday since Madeleine's disappearance. The 61-year-old judge said she had told their lawyers they did not have to attend court. She said: 'They have suffered enough, and I wished to ease their burden. They have behaved responsibly and reasonably throughout.'

The judge's unequivocal support for the McCanns is likely to attract criticism in Portugal, where there has been resentment over perceived interference in the case by the British government. Mr and Mrs McCann won support from the British prime minister and the British foreign secretary, David Miliband, in the aftermath of Madeleine's disappearance, although all direct contact with the couple stopped after they were named as official suspects.

Their spokesman Clarence Mitchell said they were 'strengthened and touched' by the judge's words. He said the couple's private detectives would examine the new information from Leicestershire Police, adding: 'It only takes one piece of information that could lead us to Madeleine.'

The McCanns had asked the court to order the police force to hand over every scrap of information relating to their daughter's disappearance. Leicestershire Police refused to do so, arguing that it should not be forced to reveal details of investigations, but agreed to hand over details of the 81 witnesses who had attempted to contact the McCanns directly. Tim Scott QC, for the McCanns, said the couple expected to have access to more information in Portugal when the case there is formally closed.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Madeleine McCann

Gordon Brown FSS Lab 17 June 2008

The PM visits the Forensic Science Service London Laboratory
17 June 2008

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008

Maddie suspect pal's car torched

21 March 2008
The Sun 
Nick Parker
A close pal of Maddie suspect Robert Murat has been targeted by an arsonist - apparently attempting to make him reveal details of the case. A car belonging to Russian IT consultant Sergei Malinka was found torched early yesterday outside his home in Praia da Luz, Portugal.  A single word in red paint sprayed on the pavement beside the blazing Audi A4 read "Fala" - Portuguese for "Talk".  Malinka, 22, was questioned by cops early in the hunt for four-year-old Madeleine McCann.  But he has never been declared an arguido like his friend Murat, 33.  There was a similar arson incident last year when Malinka's van was blown up at night.

Mystery

Malinka said yesterday: "It's just a car. I'm sad, it was a nice car, but at least I wasn't inside it.  "I'm angry and I want to find out who it was, but I'm not scared."

Meanwhile, it was revealed yesterday that Portuguese police are set to fly to the UK on April 7 as part of a last-gasp attempt to solve the Madeleine mystery.  Investigators are pinning their hopes of a breakthrough on fresh interviews with the Tapas Seven - the pals holidaying with parents Kate and Gerry, both 39, of Rothley, Leics.  But public prosecutors in Portuguese have rejected police requests to call in Kate and Gerry for questioning.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Madeleine McCann

Maddie parents' triple blow

24 February 2008
Daily Star

Kate and Gerry McCann have been hit by a triple setback in the hunt for daughter Madeleine. Dad Gerry, 39, last night revealed they have had no contact with police over a possible sighting of the four-year-old in France earlier this month. He said: "Kate and I had no official notification of the potential sighting from the authorities." Meanwhile, their attempts to clear their names over Maddie's disappearance in Portugal are being held up by Home Office red tape delaying fresh interviews with police. And private eye Antonio Jimenez, 53, linked to the detective agency they hired, Metodo 3, has been arrested on suspicion of helping a gang steal £25million of drugs.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Madeleine McCann, Metodo3

Cocaine rap for 'tec with Maddie firm

24 February 2008
People
Tom Carlin

A PRIVATE detective linked to the agency hunting Maddie McCann was last night behind bars accused of helping steal £25million worth of cocaine. Antonia Jimenez, 53, is a business partner of the founder of Metodo 3 which is charging £50,000-a-month to search for the missing British toddler.  Jimenez allegedly tipped off a gang about the drugs cache in Barcelona docks when he was a police chief in 2005. He was arrested in a huge corruption probe in Spain on Thursday.

Gerry and Kate McCann hired Metodo 3 after Maddie, four, went missing in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3. Their spokesman said: "Jimenez has worked with Metodo 3 but has not been involved in the Madeleine investigation." 

Metodo 3, whose contract runs out next month, were slammed for boasting they would find Maddie by Christmas.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Madeleine McCann, Metodo3

'Maddie' cop held

24 February 2008
The News of the World

A PRIVATE detective linked to the agency hunting for Madeleine McCann was behind bars last night-after being arrested on suspicion of helping a gang steal Pounds 25million worth of cocaine.  Retired cop Antonio Jimenez, 53, was remanded by a Barcelona judge investigating a massive Spanish police corruption scandal. Jimenez is a business partner of Maria Fernandez Lado, 57, the founder of Metodo 3, the controversial agency charging Pounds 50,000 a month to search for the missing toddler.  The McCanns spokesman said Jiminez had not been involved in the hunt for Maddie.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Madeleine McCann, Metodo3

McCanns bring in cold-case detective

JAN 3, 2008
Daily Mail
Dan Newling and Vanessa Allen

Kate and Gerry McCann have hired a former Met Police officer to carry out a 'cold case' review into Madeleine's disappearance. Noel Hogan, a former CID detective, has spent hundreds of hours interviewing British witnesses in the case.
He has also gone through each witness's existing statements line by line. Among those he has interviewed include the so called 'Tapas seven' who were on holiday with the McCanns in Praia da Luz last May. He is also thought to have taken Kate and Gerry McCann through their own statements in minute detail.

Mr Hogan spent eight years in the Met where he reached the rank of detective superintendent. Since 1986 he has run his own detective agency in Surrey, Hogan International, which claims to have extensive experience dealing with missing person cases. Mr Hogan had been investigating one of the 7/7 suicide bombers before the terror attacks in 2005 after the man's bank became suspicious of his spending patterns.

When contacted by the Daily Mail, Mr Hogan confirmed that he had spoken to many of the holidaymakers now back in Britain. He said: 'I have been re interviewing a number of the witnesses that were out in Portugal at the time.' He added that his investigation would tie in with the enquiry being conducted by the Spanish detective agency Metodo 3 in Barcelona.

Since four-year- old Madeleine's disappearance, well-wishers have contributed over £1 million to the fund to help find her. The McCanns have spent much of this money on Metodo 3, which is being paid £50,000 a month to lead the search for their daughter. However, the couple are understood to have become increasingly disillusioned with the firm, after its head detective Francisco Marco made a series of wild public statements.

Mr Marco claimed to know for a fact that the missing toddler was being kept in North Africa and would be home by Christmas. But yesterday a source close to the family said that Kate and Gerry were keeping faith with Metodo 3 in spite of their concerns. But the source confirmed that they have also authorised the employment of Mr Noel (sic - refers to Noel Hogan) to coordinate the UK end of the investigation. The McCanns' official spokesman, Clarence Mitchell, declined to comment.

Metodo 3 are currently trying to re-interview an Irish family who said they saw a man carrying away a child on the night Madeleine disappeared. Martin Smith and his family-from Drogheda in Co. Louth, told police about the sighting - which is strikingly similar to one by a friend of the McCanns, Jane Tanner. They described a barefoot child and a man wearing beige trousers walking towards the beach in Praia da Luz, about 400yards from the McCanns' holiday apartment. However, they said that the man was definitely not official suspect Robert Murat, whom they had met before and would have recognised. Mr Smith even flew back to Portugal to give evidence, but said he had not been contacted by police since making a statement in May.

Continue Reading... Labels: 2008, Find Madeleine Fund, Madeleine McCann, Metodo3