Irish authorities have learned that cartel leader Daniel Kinahan has failed in his final appeal against his extradition from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Ireland.Kinahan (49), a leader of the Kinahan cartel, has been in custody in Dubai since April.He was arrested as part of a joint operation between the Garda and authorities in UAE on foot of an extradition request from the Irish authorities and will face charges in Ireland.It was previously thought the process to secure his extradition could run until the end of the year.The process was faster than expected and Kinahan lodged his final appeal earlier this month. Sources in Ireland with knowledge of the extradition process have confirmed reports from the UAE that Kinahan’s final appeal was not successful.Kinahan’s return is expected within the next few months.Responding to queries, An Garda Síochána declined to confirm the reports and directed “any questions on the arrest and detention” to UAE authorities.A Garda spokesman reiterated a previous statement that the force was aware of the “arrest and ongoing detention of an Irish National in the United Arab Emirates on foot of an arrest warrant issued by the Irish Courts on alleged Serious Organised Crime offences”.The Department of Justice declined to comment.Kinahan was arrested in Dubai in April, having lived openly there for almost a decade. He allegedly directed the Kinahan cartel from there, as well as allegedly co-directing the European “super cartel”. The “super cartel” is an international mafia coalition, whose leaders have been based in Dubai, that is estimated to control about a third of the European cocaine market.The departments of Justice and Foreign Affairs, as well as the Air Corps, the Garda and Defence Forces, are co-operating to prepare a major security operation in advance of Kinahan’s return to Ireland. The Director of Public Prosecutions has instructed that he be charged with directing organised crime. His trial would be expected to take place before the non-jury Special Criminal Court at some point next year. The Air Corps may be used as part of the extradition to Ireland, in a similar manner to how Sean McGovern, a member of the Kinahan cartel, was extradited using an Air Corps plane last year.Kinahan is expected to be held at the State’s maximum security facility in Portlaoise following a successful extradition, sources with knowledge of the prison service’s operations have previously indicated.A Block is the highest-security wing of Portlaoise Prison and is often used for those set to appear before the Special Criminal Court.This falls in line with the existing practice in the service, whereby Kinahan gang members are typically imprisoned in Mountjoy Prison, with Hutch members placed in Wheatfield Prison.The highest-risk gang leaders are then separated and placed in Portlaoise Prison.