Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested
Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested
Spanish authorities have announced the dismantling of a drug trafficking syndicate linked to the Lyons family. Steven Lyons, a prominent figure in Scottish organized crime, was apprehended in the Netherlands following his deportation from Bali. The 45-year-old, originally from Glasgow, was taken into custody on 28 March after arriving in Indonesia from Singapore.
The Civil Guard, one of Spain’s national police forces, reported 14 arrests across four countries, with an additional 20 individuals under investigation. A spokesperson for the force stated that Lyons is expected to arrive in Spain within two to three weeks, though delays could occur if he resists extradition. His arrest followed an Interpol Red Notice, which was issued in tandem with the detention of his wife, Amanda, in Dubai.
“We will not allow Indonesian territory, especially Bali, to become a haven or base for international criminals,”
said Bugie Kurniawan, head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, confirming Lyons’ deportation. The operation, named Armorum, has also led to the freezing of significant assets in Turkey, according to the statement.
The Civil Guard highlighted that the Lyons network has operated across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, utilizing shell companies and international financial transactions to launder millions through drug trade profits. Its cross-border activities, including simultaneous operations in Spain, the UAE, and Turkey, have established it as a major force in European organized crime.
Lyons, who previously fled to Spain before settling in Dubai, is connected to the Kinahan crime group. His brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and associate Ross Monaghan were fatally shot in a Fuengirola bar last May. Spanish police have since accused Michael Riley, a 44-year-old from Liverpool, of the murders. Riley had opposed extradition but later agreed to face charges in Spain.
While the investigation spans three years and involves collaboration with Police Scotland, the force has stated there is no evidence linking the Fuengirola shootings to the ongoing feud between the Lyons and Daniel groups. The arrests were supported by 18 raids in Spain, primarily targeting the Costa Del Sol and Barcelona regions, where electronic devices, cash, documents, luxury watches, and cryptocurrency wallets were seized.