Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested

Spanish police ‘dismantle’ Scottish drugs gang as crime boss arrested

Spanish authorities have claimed to have dismantled a criminal drug network tied to the Lyons family. The Civil Guard reported that Steven Lyons, a prominent Scottish gangland figure, was apprehended in the Netherlands following his deportation from Bali. The 45-year-old Glasgow-based crime boss was detained in Indonesia after arriving from Singapore on 28 March.

Operations targeting the Lyons group, part of a broader three-year investigation involving Police Scotland, resulted in 14 arrests across four nations. Additionally, 20 individuals are currently under scrutiny. The Civil Guard stated that Lyons is expected to be transferred to Spain within two to three weeks, though delays could occur if he contests extradition.

“We will not allow Indonesian territory, especially Bali, to become a haven or base of operations for international criminals,” said Bugie Kurniawan, head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, confirming Lyons’ deportation.

Operation Armorum, which led to these arrests, also saw Spanish police collaborating with Turkish authorities to seize assets linked to the Lyons network. The Civil Guard, one of Spain’s two national police forces, described the operation as involving 18 raids, primarily in the Costa Del Sol and Barcelona. Items confiscated included electronic devices, cash, company documents, luxury watches, and cryptocurrency wallets.

The gang has established a criminal presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. A statement highlighted a sophisticated money laundering system based on shell companies and global financial transactions, funneling millions from drug trafficking. The network’s ability to operate in multiple countries—Spain, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey—alongside alliances with other criminal groups, has cemented its status as a key force in modern European organized crime.

Lyons, the head of the Lyons group, has been embroiled in a feud with the Daniel gang for over two decades. In 2006, he survived a shooting at a Lambhill garage in Glasgow, where his cousin lost their life. He relocated to Spain before settling in Dubai, where he is connected to the Kinahan crime group. His brother, Eddie Lyons Jnr, and associate Ross Monaghan were killed in a Fuengirola bar in May, an event linked to Michael Riley, a 44-year-old from Liverpool.

Spanish police accuse Riley of the murders, though he initially opposed extradition to Spain. The Crown Prosecution Service later confirmed his agreement to face charges in the country. A Spanish detective noted that Riley is associated with the rival Daniel gang, while Police Scotland maintains there is no evidence connecting the Fuengirola killings to the ongoing gang conflict or Scottish planning.