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Major Scottish gangland figures arrested in Dubai | Major Scottish gangland figures arrested in Dubai |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Steven Lyons and Ross McGill were arrested in Dubai on Tuesday | Steven Lyons and Ross McGill were arrested in Dubai on Tuesday |
Four of Scotland's most high profile gangland figures have been arrested in Dubai. | Four of Scotland's most high profile gangland figures have been arrested in Dubai. |
BBC Scotland News understands that Steven Lyons, Ross McGill, Stephen Jamieson and Steven Larwood were taken into custody on Tuesday. | BBC Scotland News understands that Steven Lyons, Ross McGill, Stephen Jamieson and Steven Larwood were taken into custody on Tuesday. |
Police Scotland believe all four are linked to criminality ranging from drug importation to a feud between rival criminal gangs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. | Police Scotland believe all four are linked to criminality ranging from drug importation to a feud between rival criminal gangs in Glasgow and Edinburgh. |
The dispute has resulted in a series of assaults, shootings and firebombings since March. | The dispute has resulted in a series of assaults, shootings and firebombings since March. |
It is understood detectives have been sharing intelligence with police in the United Arab Emirates, where the men are all based. | It is understood detectives have been sharing intelligence with police in the United Arab Emirates, where the men are all based. |
It is unclear if officers in Scotland were made aware of the Dubai raids in advance. | It is unclear if officers in Scotland were made aware of the Dubai raids in advance. |
And it remains to be seen whether the authorities will press charges or whether moves will be made to extradite the men - who may be deemed a flight risk - back to Scotland. | And it remains to be seen whether the authorities will press charges or whether moves will be made to extradite the men - who may be deemed a flight risk - back to Scotland. |
Detectives working on Operation Portaledge, which was set up in response to the gang violence, have so far made 57 arrests. | Detectives working on Operation Portaledge, which was set up in response to the gang violence, have so far made 57 arrests. |
Sources have told BBC Scotland News the significance of the Dubai arrests cannot be underestimated. | Sources have told BBC Scotland News the significance of the Dubai arrests cannot be underestimated. |
One said: "All four are operating at the highest level of organised crime, both at a UK and an international level." | One said: "All four are operating at the highest level of organised crime, both at a UK and an international level." |
Steven Lyons is the head of the Lyons crime group, which has been involved in a bloody feud with the rival Daniel clan for more than 20 years. | Steven Lyons is the head of the Lyons crime group, which has been involved in a bloody feud with the rival Daniel clan for more than 20 years. |
In 2006 he survived a shooting at a garage in Lambhill, in the north of Glasgow, which claimed the life of his cousin, Michael Lyons. | In 2006 he survived a shooting at a garage in Lambhill, in the north of Glasgow, which claimed the life of his cousin, Michael Lyons. |
He later moved to Spain before settling in Dubai. | He later moved to Spain before settling in Dubai. |
Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were shot dead at a bar on the Costa Del Sol | Eddie Lyons Jnr and Ross Monaghan were shot dead at a bar on the Costa Del Sol |
In May, Steven Lyons' brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and Ross Monaghan were shot dead in a beachfront bar in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol. | |
Both men had spent the evening watching the Champions League final before they were targeted by a lone gunman. | Both men had spent the evening watching the Champions League final before they were targeted by a lone gunman. |
Michael Riley, 44, from Liverpool, has been accused by Spanish police of the murders with a full extradition hearing scheduled for later this year. | Michael Riley, 44, from Liverpool, has been accused by Spanish police of the murders with a full extradition hearing scheduled for later this year. |
In the days after the double shooting a Spanish National Police detective said the suspect was a member of the rival Glasgow-based Daniel gang. | In the days after the double shooting a Spanish National Police detective said the suspect was a member of the rival Glasgow-based Daniel gang. |
But Police Scotland have maintained there is nothing to suggest the murders in Spain are linked to the ongoing gang war or that it was planned in Scotland. | But Police Scotland have maintained there is nothing to suggest the murders in Spain are linked to the ongoing gang war or that it was planned in Scotland. |
McGill first became known to police for his activities while a senior member of Rangers ultras group, the Union Bears. | McGill first became known to police for his activities while a senior member of Rangers ultras group, the Union Bears. |
But since March he has emerged as a key figure in the gangland feud which has been responsible for a wave of violence in the east and west of the country. | But since March he has emerged as a key figure in the gangland feud which has been responsible for a wave of violence in the east and west of the country. |
BBC Scotland News understands it was triggered by a fall out between McGill and Edinburgh drug dealer Mark Richardson, who is currently in prison. | BBC Scotland News understands it was triggered by a fall out between McGill and Edinburgh drug dealer Mark Richardson, who is currently in prison. |
Larwood is a known associate of Lyons and previously lived in Spain before relocating to Dubai. | Larwood is a known associate of Lyons and previously lived in Spain before relocating to Dubai. |
Jamieson, who has lived in the desert city for a number of years, has links to Jamie "Iceman" Stevenson, who was last year jailed for orchestrating a plot to smuggle cocaine worth £100m from South America in boxes of bananas. | Jamieson, who has lived in the desert city for a number of years, has links to Jamie "Iceman" Stevenson, who was last year jailed for orchestrating a plot to smuggle cocaine worth £100m from South America in boxes of bananas. |
Police Scotland said it was unable to confirm the arrests. | Police Scotland said it was unable to confirm the arrests. |
It is understood the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has not been approached for consular assistance. | It is understood the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has not been approached for consular assistance. |
Dubai Police referred BBC Scotland News to the UK Embassy in Dubai but it has yet to comment. | Dubai Police referred BBC Scotland News to the UK Embassy in Dubai but it has yet to comment. |
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