LONDON — The alleged leader of an Irish organized crime gang is on his way back to Ireland from Dubai to face charges that he ran an international drug smuggling and money laundering empire with tentacles that stretched to Britain, Spain and the U.S.

An Irish military plane carrying Daniel Kinahan, 49, is expected to land on Sunday evening at an airport outside of Dublin after a court in Dubai refused to block his extradition, Irish media reported.

Kinahan is expected to be taken directly to the Special Criminal Court in Dublin where he will face charges of directing an organized crime group, Irish broadcaster RTE reported. He will then be held at the high-security Portlaoise Prison about 90 miles (145 kilometers) southwest of the capital.

Irish media say a huge security operation is underway to ensure Kinahan faces justice. It will included armed police, members of the armed forces and the prison service — which recently acquired a bomb-proof escort van to transport organized crime suspects, terrorists and other high-risk prisoners, Irish broadcaster RTE reported.